David Moyes was in no mood to mince his words ahead of West Ham’s big Europa League last 16 second leg decider with Freiburg.
West Ham were beaten 1-0 in their Europa League last 16 first leg in Freiburg.
It was a frustratingly passive and profligate performance from the Hammers.
They could and should have won the game comfortably.
And now West Ham have it all to do as David Moyes’ men look to make a European quarter-final for the third consecutive season.
Hammers face Germans with something to defend
Facing a German team with something to defend feels somewhat ominous for West Ham.
And Freiburg go into the game off the back of a morale-boosting away win.
The manager rarely questions or criticises his players to the press. Even after the dismal first half performance against Burnley he praised his West Ham team – publicly at least.
But now Moyes has sent an unprecedentedly stern warning to West Ham’s big stars for Freiburg.
Moyes’ uncharacteristically stern warning to stars
The Scot has told the club’s players that if they want to play on the big stage then now is the time to step onto that stage and prove it.
Or – in the manager’s own words – ‘don’t go on the stage’.
“If you want to be on the big stage, now is the time to act,” Moyes said in a clear message to his stars during the pre-match press conference.
“If you can’t perform, don’t go on stage.
‘Can’t perform? Don’t go on the stage’
“From the first game we had in Europe, we’ve been on a good ride.
“And no-one wants that to end.”
I actually really like this from Moyes.
He has taken a lot of flak over the last few months but the players have to take responsibility too.
The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Kurt Zouma and James Ward-Prowse must lift their levels after some inconsistent performances.
West Ham must win by two goals to avoid penalties.