MOYES WANTS A SPOT OF LUCK
DAVID MOYES wants his players to continue to be stand-up guys – even though West Ham are the only Premier League team not to have won a penalty all season.
The Hammers travel to Fulham today, a side they only beat at the London Stadium after Ademola Lookman fluffed a Panenka spot-kick in the final minute.
Although Moyes is still more concerned that Tom Cairney won the award in the first place after VAR intervention.
The Fulham captain appeared to go to ground very easily, but the Hammers boss is adamant he does not want his own players to follow suit, whatever the reward.
“We were saying the other night there was a couple incidents of players staying on their feet and getting into the box,” said Moyes.
“Look at the amount of times Michail Antonio is touched and because of his physical capacity he stays on his feet.
“And my ideal would be that players stay up.
“I don’t want the players in any way trying to con referees but it is quite incredible that, with the position we are in, we have not had a penalty kick.
“Not even close for the attempts and chances we’ve created. I can think of two or three penalties, one against Fulham, one against Liverpool, where I would say incredibly little contact and the referees gave them.
“I don’t want a side that surrounds the referee or tries to influence them in any way. But in the same breath I’m hoping in the second half of the season we might do more.
“Maybe we have to get in the box more, find people who will take the ball in the box more.
“But the penalties we’ve given away, some of them have been incredibly soft.
“So you’re just hoping we’ll get what we’re due and maybe a few penalties over the second half of the season.”