EARLY START? EARLY DART!
Moyes hopes to beat the rush hour
DAVID MOYES is urging the employers of East London to let West Ham fans clock off early this afternoon.
The Hammers face Freiburg in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at 5.45pm.
And Moyes is hoping flexible working arrangements can see supporters make it to the London Stadium early enough to create a red-hot atmosphere and help overturn a one-goal deficit. “We’ve got a strange kick-off time for a club in London,” said Moyes. “We’ve got to hope fans get through the rush hour and flexible working hours will allow people to get to the game in time. “Culturally we don’t normally kick off games at this time but we understand Europe and TV.
“Most people who live in and around London will tell you it is difficult to get to places at that time in the evening.”
Many supporters purchased advanced tickets for this showdown expecting it to be an 8pm start because all of their home ties in the past three seasons have started at that time. That has led to fears of there being plenty of empty seats.
But Moyes knows that the quality of atmosphere will depend on how his team plays in their biggest game of the season so far.
“If we perform well we’ll get that atmosphere,” he said. “We need to give the supporters something. We’re a goal down and we need our home support.”
West Ham have won 13 of their past 16 home European encounters and the manager is urging his players to show they can thrive again under pressure.
“If you want to be on the big stage then now is your chance to put your act on,” he said. “We are on the big stage. If you can’t perform, don’t go on stage.”
Moyes has drawn parallels with their triumph against Sevilla in this round two years ago, when West Ham overcame the same first-leg scoreline to go through 2-1.
And midfielder Tomas Soucek, who levelled that tie, hopes they can repeat the trick. “It’s very similar and if you compare it, this will be a great game,” he said.
“I know how we played from the first minute and it was the best atmosphere since I came here. The stadium was on fire and I hope this happens again.”
Emerson Palmieri is a doubt and Maxwel Cornet remains sidelined.
WEST HAM (4-3-3): Fabianski; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta.