A significant increase in injuries could help West Ham, and it might even save David Moyes……….
David Moyes was supposed to sign a new deal with West Ham not too long ago.
Last June, after leading the Hammers to a trophy for the first time in forty-three years, European glory overshadowed a dismal domestic campaign.
Still, a trophy won Moyes a reprieve from death. He was in the last year of his current contract at London Stadium, but a solid start to the season suggested a new two-and-a-half year contract was on the horizon thanks to support in the transfer market.
The talks of a new deal have been put on hold due to an enormous decline in fortunes. This year, West Ham has not triumphed in a competitive game.
Bristol City, a Championship team, eliminated them from the FA Cup, and they have only managed three points from their five games.
They were destroyed 6-0 at home by Arsenal on Sunday. The images of the fans leaving for home at halftime will always stick in our minds.
The decisive 2-0 victory at Arsenal, Although Michail Antonio’s injury may have ended their campaign, the Jamaican’s absence ended up being advantageous. In fact, Moyes was able to pitch Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta as an efficient attacking trio.
But, as is so frequently the case, West Ham’s misfortunes came in threes.
Paqueta played just 14 minutes in his FA Cup comeback against Bristol City last month after being substituted out early in the team’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in December.
Due to his participation in the AFCON with Ghana, Kudus just made his way back into action at the beginning of the month, while Bowen also had to withdraw due to an ankle knock, missing the replay against the Robins.
What’s truly putting West Ham to the test, though, is Paqueta’s absence.
In their 6-0 beating at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday, the Hammers managed only one goal-scoring opportunity—the fewest of any home club in a Premier League game this year.
Even though James Ward-Prowse leads West Ham in critical passes (48), the Brazilian isn’t the team’s top creator; all 26 of Paqueta’s opportunities have come from open play, which leads Moyes’ squad.
Furthermore, in England’s top division this season, Paqueta (10) has made more accurate through balls than any other player.
Without the 26-year-old, it’s understandable why the Hammers appear disoriented in the last third.
To truly understand how important Paqueta is to the team, all you have to do is look at West Ham’s record when he isn’t playing.
In the 24 competitive games he has started this season, his win percentage is 66.7%; in the 11 games he hasn’t, it is just 9.1%.
Not that Paqueta’s absence is the only reason for West Ham’s poor play; despite his position, he puts in a lot of effort off the ball to keep his team’s goal safe.
This season, he has won more possession in the defensive third (64) than any other midfielder or attacker in the Premier League. The Brazil international is essential for breaking down defences and for adding extra cover for the backline.
It should come as no surprise that Paqueta has the highest WhoScored.com rating (7.18) of any Premier League player representing West Ham.
It’s reasonable to assume that the former Lyon player is unique. Luckily for Moyes and his team, Paqueta might be available for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Following Sunday’s demolition at the hands of Arsenal, fans will expect an expedient response from a disorganised Forest team.
They have a far better chance of winning their first game of 2024 with Paqueta in the lineup.
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