West Ham news: Pundit issues ‘incredible’ claim after player confession
Alex McLeish has admitted a lack of squad depth could hamper West Ham in the push for a top-four finish this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland boss insisted the Hammers’ rise has been “incredible” considering the resources of other teams.
Speaking to club media after Saturday’s 1-1 with Newcastle (19 February), David Moyes confessed he is “pulling his hair out” over the performance levels of “one or two” players.
He insisted the Hammers’ performance levels as a whole have not been good enough in recent weeks.
With the Irons currently sitting fifth, McLeish heralded the job Moyes has done.
He insisted the east Londoners do not have the vast player options other teams do.
Asked how much of an impact West Ham’s lack of squad depth may have had on recent displays, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s a lot to do with that.
“It’s a lot to do with keeping the squad tight, keeping a nucleus of the team playing almost every week.
“Sometimes one or two of them can have an off day. That is normal and understandable. You don’t have as strong a squad as the teams who have infinitely more money to spend.
“They have squads that would frighten you. The elevation of West Ham, to get to where they are right now, I think has been remarkable.
“I think it’s just when you don’t have the quality of the top four, five, six. Moyes has been around the top four many times this season and I think that’s incredible progress.
“For clubs at that level to sustain that, it becomes very difficult for them to get into that top four.”
Eight of West Ham’s squad have played 28 or more games from a possible 37 this season.
The Irons currently sit four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
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