West Ham news: Pundit issues ‘disaster’ verdict after ‘massive’ confession
Alan Hutton has suggested the weight of expectation at West Ham may have weighed heavily on David Moyes in recent weeks.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted every dropped point would be seen as a “disaster” for the Irons.
Speaking to WHUTV after the draw with Newcastle (19 February), Moyes confessed he was “miffed” by his squad’s recent performances.
He admitted his players have failed to do “basic things” and that they need to “improve their levels and form”.
The solitary point means West Ham sit fifth in the Premier League table, four points behind Manchester United.
Hutton suggested Moyes’ comments have come as a result of the expectation and pressure on his shoulders.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “The expectation’s there. I think that’s a massive part of it now.
“When you fly under the radar, you’re winning games and playing good football, people don’t expect you to get to the top four.
“When you get there, you go on a consistent run and you’re playing well, I think that expectation starts to grow. They should be getting there.
“Then every dropped point, there’s a problem: ‘We’re not playing as well as we were, what’s gone wrong?’ I think that’s what happens.
“They’re now seen as a big team challenging for the top four. So any point dropped is a bit of a disaster.”
West Ham could drop as low as eighth if Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham win their games in hand.
The Irons’ next game sees them play host to Wolves at the London Stadium on Sunday.
In other news, a pundit has pointed the finger at three West Ham stars who are not pulling their weight