FEE SPEECH
Moyes tells Hammers two giant signings from last season: It’s time for you to deliver
ARSENAL v WEST HAM The Emirates: 8pm
DAVID MOYES has challenged West Ham flops Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson to make a difference this season.
The Hammers invested over £80m in the pair under Manuel Pellegrini.
But record signing Haller managed only seven goals last season while Anderson, who was expected to be his main provider, managed just four assists.
Now, with both players on the scoresheet in Tuesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton, Moyes has thrown down the gauntlet.
The Hammers boss, whose side could face Arsenal today without skipper Mark Noble after he suffered a toe injury, said: “I inherited both of them. Both had big reputations and I think the games they have played, everybody had the chance to see their performances.
“I’ve got to say the two of them are great to work with. But what I want them to be is terrific players every time they play and I want them to make a difference.
“They were bought by the club to make a difference, one to be a major goalscorer and one to be a major assist maker.
“In midweek, both showed a little of that but you have to be doing that regularly and in the major games.”
Haller lost his place in the first team at the end of last season to makeshift striker Michail Antonio, whose goals ultimately kept West Ham up.
And Anderson, who has been for sale all summer, struggled to get back in the team after missing four games with a back injury.
Moyes said: “We’re looking for goals and assists from Felipe. I am looking for him to show his terrific speed. I am looking for him to show that he can beat players and then either assist once he has done that or score.
“Since I took over I think he scored one in my first game against Bournemouth, after that we ran out of goals and assists really. I am on his case to do it.”
Moyes, who insists he knows nothing of any potential takeover of the club, also took a shot at his team’s critics after their openingday defeat to Newcastle.
He said: “If f it’s outside noise then I think it would be ridiculous. idiculous. Remember how the players played yed at the back end of last ast year.
“We were one of the form teams of the last eight or nine games so if it changes after fter losing one game, well you have to question tion the people who are saysaying that.”
ever loss on the opening day of the season in the top flight.
Fulham have lost 15 of their last 19 top-flight matches, with three of their four victories in that run coming in consecutive games in April 2019.
Leeds scored with all three of their shots on target in their opening day defeat against Liverpool – the Whites scored with 31 per cent of their shots on target in the Championship last term, the joint fourth-lowest rate in the division.
Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney has been directly involved in more league goals against Leeds (seven – four goals, three assists) than against any other opponent in his professional career.
Championship: Tomorrow, 2pm
MICHAEL O’NEILL has urged Stoke to keep their promising home form going.
The Potters welcome Bristol City tomorrow having won five out of their last six home games last season.
And boss O’Neill said: “We were good at home and our focus is on trying to maintain that form. ”
O’Neill has stiff competition n for places after a much-changed d side shocked Premier League Wolves with a 1-0 win in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
The 51-year-old (above) added: “It is a game we want to win and we can put a fresh team on the pitch.”