Moyes: I need fans to back me

David Moyes has made a direct appeal to West Ham United’s supporters to back him amid continued concern at the Premier League club over fan discontent at his appointment as manager.

Moyes took training for the first time yesterday with Alan Irvine set to be confirmed as his assistant and talks ongoing over Stuart Pearce also joining his backroom staff.

However, there is a nervousness among the club’s hierarchy about the fans’ reaction to Moyes taking over until, initially, the end of the season following the sacking of Slaven Bilic and the 54-year-old said he was “hungry to get things right” after failing in his past three jobs: at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the supporters,” Moyes said. “To them getting right behind the team and my team. We need the support. It’s a big job we have in hand. But I’m sure with everybody together we can get results between now and the end of the season.”

Moyes has been appointed partly because he is available but also because he appears motivated – as shown in the contract he has accepted made up of a relatively low salary and a seven-figure bonus should he keep West Ham up.

Moyes said: “I’ve managed five clubs since starting out nearly 20 years ago at Preston and then going to Everton. My period at Manchester United is well documented and I then did something I have always wanted to do by experiencing management abroad, with Real Sociedad. It’s only been the last job where I feel it wasn’t a good move and I didn’t enjoy. So I’m hungry to make sure I get things right now.

“I don’t know any manager who hasn’t gone through negative periods, especially in the game today. I hope it gives me great strength and understanding of what is required.”