David Moyes drops ‘toughest’ West Ham United verdict in footage shared by Ian Abrahams on Instagram
David Moyes admits West Ham find themselves in their “toughest” group across their three-season run in Europe as they prepare to face Olympiacos.
The Hammers are top of Group A at the midway point, despite losing 2-1 at Olympiacos when the sides met in Greece two weeks ago.
However, another slip-up at the London Stadium on Thursday (9 November) could see United drop out of the top-two spots, adding to the pressure Moyes already finds himself under.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference on Wednesday (8 November), in footage shared on Instagram by talkSPORT journalist Ian Abrahams, Moyes said: “Olympiacos are a very experienced European team.
“I watched them play a couple of years ago against Arsenal and they’re a talented team. We’re up against a good team and I think our group this year is the toughest we’ve had in our three years in Europe. We’re going to have to play well.
“We had difficult challenges out at Olympiacos. The crowd out there was phenomenal for them and played an enormous part. I also have to be honest and say we didn’t play well and were nowhere near our normal standards or levels.”
Big game
There is no doubt that this group is a step up in quality on last season in particular, when West Ham were up against FCSB, Silkeborg and Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League.
After making a bright start to this season’s European adventure with wins over Backa Topola and Freiburg, the defeat to Olympiacos last time out – ending a 17-game unbeaten run on the continent – leaves the Irons with work to do.
Victory at home to the Greek heavyweights will leave Moyes’ men well positioned to advance to the knockout rounds, but a defeat really would leave Group A wide open with two games to go.
There was not a great deal of expectation at this same stage 12 months ago, but winning the Europa Conference League has given supporters that winning bug.
In many ways, Moyes could be the victim of his own success should West Ham fail to advance out of Group A.
Hopefully, though, that will not be the case, with three points against Olympiacos an achievable aim.
In other West Ham news, Moyes and Tim Steidten are on a possible collision course over a transfer target.