David Moyes can put poor start behind him with new mini West Ham United pre-season
West Ham United have not endured a good start to their Premier League campaign this season, but they may have just been given a huge lifeline.
After suffering defeat in each of the three opening games of the season against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Brighton without scoring a goal, the Hammers had better luck with a win over Aston Villa and then a draw with Tottenham.
Their last game however ended in a controversial defeat to Chelsea and has left them in the relegation zone, despite their successful performances in Europe so far.
But following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Premier League has seen it’s most recent round of fixtures postponed with the expectation that the next round of fixtures will be postponed too due to her funeral.
With a two week international break to follow immediately after that, there is the possibility of almost a month without Premier League football for West Ham to contest.
That could be a blessing in disguise however after the bad start to the season, with David Moyes getting extra weeks to bring his new summer signings into the squad and in line with his demands and expectations.
It will also allow for key players such as defenders Ben Johnson, Craig Dawson, Aaron Cresswell and Angelo Ogbonna to continue their recoveries from injuries and give the boss a much stronger squad to select from once football returns.
It will also give him the opportunity to reinforce the ideas he has on the whole squad, and to demand more from the players that have been struggling so far.
Obviously with international players going away with their countries for a short while it won’t be ideal, but it will present a unique opportunity mid-season to almost have a second pre-season to address bad habits that have been picked up already.
Not everyone is an international calibre player and not everyone will be selected in their respective squads even if they are, so he will be able to work with them. The ones who get selected, are likely in good form anyway.
It’s a second chance and exactly what Moyes would have called for if given the chance. He gets more time with his players with less games for now, and can address the problems in the squad and get everyone closer to health. Perfect.