MOYES GOES CARROLL STINGING
New boss attacks star striker’s attitude
DAVID MOYES read Andy Carroll the riot act after his first game in charge.
The West Ham boss stunned witnesses by “hammering” star striker Carroll following his performance in the 2-0 defeat at Watford on Sunday.
Carroll was taken off in the 65th minute and was walking a tightrope after being booked for a foul on Richarlison. He had already escaped punishment for catching Hornets defender Marvin Zeegelaar with a stray elbow after just six seconds.
But it was his overall display
rather than just his ill-discipline – on his first league start for five weeks after his recent red card against Burnley – that angered Moyes.
The Scot is understood to have told Carroll in the dressing room that he was not up to scratch and needed to liven up.
Moyes, who has vowed to get tough with West Ham’s players, has not held back in publicising his expectations of the squad he inherited.
He underlined that in his treatment of Carroll and sent out a warning to the rest of his squad in the process.
Though Moyes did not begin his reign with the result he wanted at Watford, he is believed to have made a positive impression. His straight-talking style and hard work have gone down well with the players, along with the intensity and his hands-on approach in training sessions.
Moyes’ displeasure was clear after the Watford defeat when he said diplomatically that “there were some players with big reputations who disappointed me a little bit” – having singled out Carroll behind closed doors.
And his criticism will increase the scrutiny on Carroll in tonight’s clash with Leicester. He was taunted with chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” when he was hooked against Watford.