IT’S FLAK FRIDAY
Defoe pleads for calm heads at the Hammers and says: I still love West Ham and it hurts me to see them having a rough time but they must have faith in Moyes
JERMAIN DEFOE has told West Ham fans to give David Moyes a chance – although his home baptism tonight could turn into a symphony of revolt.
New manager Moyes takes charge of his first game at the Taxpayers stadium with the Hammers in the drop zone and the soapsuds of their Bubbles anthem turning to rebellion against the board among militant fans.
Moyes’ appointment to replace Slaven Bilic was greeted with lukewarm enthusiasm in the East End, but Defoe – who scored 15 goals for relegated Sunderland last season under the former Manchester United manager – insists West Ham have enough quality to survive.
Defoe scored on his debut in senior football as a substitute to give the Hammers a 1-0 League Cup win at Walsall in September 2000.
He was also part of the side relegated in 2003 which contained Michael Carrick, David James and Joe Cole.
And although the England striker does not subscribe to the notion they are ‘too good to go down’ for the third time in 15 years, he gave Moyes a ringing endorsement. Speaking at the Mirror’s Pride of Sport awards, Defoe said: “I love West Ham and I love the fans.
“Even when they give me a bit of stick I know, deep down, that they appreciate me and I have so many great memories of the club.
“I remember walking into the training ground at Chadwell Heath as a 16-year-old, hoping I would be good enough to play for West Ham like the greats who had worn the claret and blue before.
“To break into the first team at 17 under Harry Redknapp was a special feeling, and when I’m watching Match of the Day or looking out for other results, West Ham and Tottenham are the ones I’m after.
“I’m from the East End too, a lot of my family are West Ham fans and that’s where it started for me. Of course it hurts to see them going through a rough time.
“There is still a long way to go and they have a good manager who is experienced and knows his way around the Premier League.
“I liked playing for David Moyes. He didn’t put any extra pressure on me or try to complicate
the game. It was almost as simple as, ‘You’re a goalscorer – go out there and score goals.’
“Because I’d done it over the years, there were times when he would give me the freedom to go where I wanted, to express myself and find pockets of space where the chances might come.
“On the training pitch he’s very vocal and hands-on, and training is always very sharp with the accent on quality.
“He needs time – it’s not easy fighting fires and the last couple of jobs he’s had have been difficult, but with the players he’s got at West Ham, and the quality in that changing room, I think they should be alright.”
Defoe, 35, still believes he can force his way into England’s World Cup squad next summer – but concedes his dream has been hampered by a lack of playing time at Bournemouth this season. After joining the Cherries on a three-year contract worth £130,000 a week last summer, Defoe has scored only once in 10 Premier League appearances – four of them from the bench.
He said: “To play for England next summer, I know I’ve got to be playing football.
“I saw what Eddie Howe said the other day – he believes I can still get on the plane and we’ve spoken about it.
“Eddie knows this is an important year for me. But I know you can’t pick your side based on one player.”