Moyes is cracking the whip
DAVID MOYES has told West Ham’s high-flying stars: no guts, no glory, as he pledged to keep driving his players on.
The Hammers’ Scottish boss was ecstatic after his side went fourth in the Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 win at Wolves.
On-loan Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard inspired victory with a solo opener before helping tee up Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen.
But just as impressive was the combined distance of 119km that the Hammers players ran compared to Wolves’ 112km.
Lingard, who now has six goals and three assists since joining in January, led the way with 16 sprints and Moyes says there can be no let-up from his men if they are to qualify for the Champions League.
Moyes said: “The players are in really good physical condition, which I think has helped them.
“We have been getting stronger. I want us to get stronger in the last eight games. We are not letting players away. We are not saying, ‘You have days off and well done’.
“We have actually not done anything yet in truth and this is the business end. That is the message going out to the players.
“Can we stay in it until the end? Who knows, I am not sure we will.
“I think when you trying to build a team and get a level of consistency, you are going to need consistent effort and commitment every week.
“That has been there all season. There have been very few games when we have not had that. We are very fortunate that we have two or three boys who are committed runners and good at it.”
Victory was achieved without Declan Rice, who has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a knee injury picked up with England.
Moyes also lost striker Michail Antonio in the first half to a hamstring injury.
The Hammers boss, whose side host Leicester on Sunday, added: “We have a good squad but can’t afford too many injuries.
“Dec is an incredible loss for us. Any team would miss him but we have to find other ways of doing it.
“After 30 games it is not a fluke. We are in there because we have been playing well. Can we play well enough in the remaining eight games? Let’s hope so.”
The Hammers will sign defender Craig Dawson, who is on loan from Watford, on a two-year permanent deal in the summer.