Once again David Moyes has been tasked with ensuring West Ham United’s Premier League survival, with the Hammers currently sitting above the drop on goal difference alone.
Five games into his second tenure at the London Stadium the Scot is yet to significantly improve results, having collected a lower average of points per game than his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini achieved in the opening 19 matches of this season. The Hammers’ primary issue has been accumulating points at home, of which they currently have 11, the joint lowest total in the Premier League.
Addressing West Ham’s poor home form has to be Moyes’ top priority, only Southampton have a worse record on their own turf, based on an inferior goal difference primarily due to their 9-0 thrashing by Leicester City.
Further damning evidence of the Hammers’ failures in front of their fans is that no other Premier League side has won fewer, three, and lost more home matches than the Hammers’ seven. It is hardly surprising that there is supporter discontent surrounding the club.
Of late Moyes’ side have been on an alarming run of form accumulating just 11 points since October in the Premier League, which admittedly started before he arrived at the club. But the Scottish manager has to find a solution to address their lacklustre home performances.
The weekend’s opponents, Brighton and Hove Albion, are a perfect example to the Hammers, as the Seagulls have collected 17 points at the Amex Stadium, but have the second-worst away record in the Premier League. Even with such diabolical form outside of Brighton, Graham Potter’s side have a fantastic foundation for survival and sit two places above West Ham in 15th.
Since Moyes took charge he has picked up all four of his Premier League points at the London Stadium, it is a steady improvement on Pellegrini’s seven from nine matches at home, and it must continue.
If West Ham are not capable of turning their fortunes around and making the London Stadium a fortress, relying upon away results for survival is a risky strategy.
