DEC’S DRIVE CAN PUSH US TO THE FINAL
DAVID MOYES wants Euro 2020 finalist Declan Rice to lead West Ham into the Europa League Final.
The Hammers head into the second leg needing to wipe out Frankfurt’s singlegoal advantage if they want to get to within one game of the Champions League.
Rice was part of the England team beaten on penalties by Italy last July.
And Moyes believes his leadership will be vital in the bearpit of the Deutsche Bank Park stadium.
The Scot said: “I tell Declan every day to drive them on in training. He plays with the best players for England and has to bring that back and bring it to the other boys.
“The manager gets found out if it happens or not but sometimes the players have to roll their sleeves up too.
“We mustn’t put too much on the young boy’s shoulders but he’s such a quality player. I challenge him a lot.
“We need to get a whole team performance. We need Dec to drive us on but play with a steady head.”
West Ham are winless in their last four and have been beaten in their last three in all competitions.
But they are helped by the fact that Eintracht have managed to win just one of their last 10 matches at home.
The Hammers came from behind to beat sixtime winners Sevilla in the knockout stages and pulled off a shock 3-0 win at Lyon after being held 1-1 at the London Stadium.
An emotional Moyes wants to reach next month’s final to give his 86-year-old dad David Snr a memory to treasure.
He added: “My dad’s coming and I hope my son takes me to matches when I’m 86. My brother Kenny’s bringing him and it’s great he can see us at this stage. I hope we give him a night to remember.”
Moyes believes Champions League ootball for the Hammers, 17th when he was reappointed in December 2019, would be transformative for the club. But he also feels the perception of the Irons have changed already after his 18 months in charge.
He said: “Champions League football would be huge. It really would. The climb has probably been a bit fast. But the biggest thing is the mentality change in the players.
“It’s a new West Ham now – and I don’t want to go back. I don’t think anyone wants to go back.
“We’ve had Sir Trevor Brooking and the players in the past who are still talked about.
“But I’m hoping a new generation of supporters will be talking about Bowen, Rice and the young players who are the future for West Ham.
“Hopefully those supporters will in Sevilla in a couple of weeks’ time.”