Moyes will give Javier his chance
It’s a clean slate for Hernandez
JAVIER HERNANDEZ will start with a clean slate under David Moyes at West Ham.
The Mexico international did not enjoy his t i me under Moyes at Manchester United, bemoaning a lack of opportunities — even though he had been used extensively as an i mpact p l a y e r u n d e r p r e v i o u s manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hernandez was understood to be critical of the Scot during his United tenure and Moyes’s appointment at West Ham was met with concern from the £16million summer signing as he anticipated a problematic reunion.
However, Moyes, who hopes to confirm Stuart Pearce and Billy McKinlay will become part of his new- look coaching staff this week, has n o p r o b l e m wi t h Hernandez and will give him every opportunity to impress.
Unfortunately, the 29- year- old striker picked up a hamstring injury while winning a penalty during his 100th appearance for Mexico against Belgium on Friday.
He will be checked out by West Ham medical staff t his week before declaring whether he is fit for Moyes’s first game against Watford next Sunday.
Hernandez has not shown the best of form since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen but has still scored four o f Wes t Ham’s 11 goals this season and his contribution will be vital as Moyes looks to steer the London Stadium club away from relegation trouble.
Moyes has Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Marko Arnautovic as his other f orward options and will use all of them as he juggles his formation, though he is likely to favour one up front initially.
Youngster Toni Martinez has also been elevated to train with the first team during double sessions this week as t h e n e w manager weighs up al l hi s alternatives.
Moyes favoured a 4-3-2-1 formation for his more successful period at Everton and may opt for that again as he looks to make We s t H a m m o r e difficult to beat.
The Hammers are currently sitting 18th in the Premier League standings following six losses, three draws and just two wins from t hei r o pening 1 1 matches t hi s season.
Moyes is close to adding former West Ham defender Pearce to his coaching staff this week and wants Sunderland’s joint caretaker boss McKinlay to join him.
McKinlay, formerly boss at Fulham and Watford, worked with Moyes at both Real Sociedad and Sunderland and has a reputation as a thinker with an eye for a player.
Should negotiations go well, Pearce and McKinlay will be in place alongside Alan Irvine for the crucial game against Watford.