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Irish Hammer 5:01 Mon Apr 25
Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Well I thought it wasn’t the worst.
*awaits SPLAT ⚒️

Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

West Ham United’s starting XI against Chelsea was a strong indicator of where the club’s priorities lie for the rest of the season.

Despite the 1-0 loss, David Moyes will feel his decision to rest Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio has been partially vindicated. The first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie at home against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday has always been viewed as the more important fixture given winning the competition is the club’s only realistic hope of Champions League qualification.

But there can be a little frustration over Moyes’ team selection. West Ham produced a resilient performance and deserved a point. Christian Pulisic may have got the plaudits for his winner in the 90th minute, but Craig Dawson, Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell made it a tough encounter for Chelsea’s attacking players.

Dawson may have been the club’s only recognisable centre-back at Stamford Bridge, with Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Kurt Zouma sidelined by injury, but he highlighted why he remains an important player. As the pitch map below shows, Dawson (No 15) was a wall in front of Lukasz Fabianski, making seven blocks — the most by any outfield player. He was in contention for the man-of-the-match award before his dismissal for pulling Romelu Lukaku’s arm.

West Ham

As the centre-back headed towards the tunnel he was embraced by first-team coach Kevin Nolan and captain Mark Noble. If Dawson’s red card is not rescinded he will miss West Ham’s next league game against Arsenal.

“I think Daws (Dawson) should have met the ball and not given the ref a decision,” said Moyes. “If you are going to wrestle with players you give refs a decision to make. He had played very well before that.

“I thought it was our day to get something. A point would have been important for us.

“Coming here is never easy. We were very close. We hung in the game. We didn’t have loads of chances. It is the first time we have chosen to change some of our stronger players.”

The loss leaves West Ham seventh in the Premier League, two points behind sixth-placed Manchester United. Wolves are eighth following their 1-0 defeat by Burnley, although they have a game in hand. Securing Europa League qualification again remains a strong possibility for West Ham, but in the short-term Moyes’ side once more proved they are capable of playing with a wing-back system. The hard-fought nature of their performance puts them in good stead for their upcoming European game.

It was also another solid performance from Ben Johnson. The versatile defender (No 31, above) played on the right of a back three for the first time in this campaign and coped well with his defensive duties. Chelsea’s attacking trio of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner attempted a combined total of 12 shots — and only one was on target. Johnson’s display earned praise from his manager. Moyes said: “It gives us food for thought if we need to use him (in that position) again.”

West Ham
Ben Johnson holds off Timo Werner (Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
He added: “I know Chelsea probably aren’t at their sparkling best, but I think for a long period we had a lot of good things defensively.

“We organised well with a makeshift back five. I think we have to take a little bit from that.

“There are a lot of players who came into the team who haven’t played much and have done a really good job.”

There was an element of surprise when the team was announced, with Noble, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko receiving rare starts. But with more important matters on the horizon, Moyes was justified in making six changes from the 1-1 draw against Burnley. It is the most he has made for a league match since April 2014, while in charge of Manchester United.

Antonio will feel refreshed, having been an unused substitute. It is only the second league game he has missed this season. Rice, too, will be restored to the starting XI against Eintracht Frankfurt. And Bowen will aim to pick up where he left off on the European scene, having scored in the second-leg 3-0 win over Lyon.

Thursday will be a huge occasion for West Ham and the financial incentive of reaching the final will always serve as extra motivation. Supporters will take a late loss against Chelsea if it means victory against their German opponents.

The 2-0 loss away to Brentford was followed by a memorable night against Lyon. Many will hope to see a repeat of those joyful scenes on home soil in the coming days.

Alex G 7:38 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Pedro 8:13 Tue Apr 26

The Forest game was on the 5th of January, Man City first leg of the semi final was the 8th.

Alwaysaniron 12:38 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Surely this can only be vindicated 'after' we've played against Frankfurt!

bill green 11:37 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

The players who started vs Chelsea might have to come on at some point Thursday too so good for them to get game time.

Pentonville 10:15 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Vindicated? We lost to Chelsea and have not played Frankfurt yet..surely its far too early to say?

Kearley 9:37 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Sorry Pedro but I am pretty sure Alex is right.

The Forest game was right before the Man City game.

0-5 and 0-6.

Pedro 8:13 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Alex don’t think that’s right.

We had Man City in the semi final and then fa cup versus Nottingham forest before a league game versus Cardiff.

Can’t remember team against Man City but he played then u23s against forest which we lost 5-0. Then played full strength in the league game.

Upto Sunday the only manager I recall resting players ahead of a cup game was Pardew in 2006.we had league game on Saturday and cup game on the Monday. We rested players and then went full strength in the cup.

Darby_ 6:24 Tue Apr 26
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Alex, partly vindicated I'd say. For mine our league results haven't been good enough lately and we needed a shakeup. Unsurprisingly, first team players have been being distracted by Europa and it was time to give fringe players their chance in the league. They mostly did well, so it's vindicated in that sense.

I also hope that first team players will improve in the future if they're a bit more worried that their place is under threat.

Alex G 9:32 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Surely it'll only be vindicated if it results in us progressing to the final?

(Yes, I do remember when when big Sam rested the entire first team ahead of our last semi-final. Shame it resulted in a six nil drubbing against Man City).

the exile 8:58 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

I'm pretty sure we'll revert to a back four so that's another reason why Arthur won't start.

bill green 7:05 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

We've got to attack at home so I doubt Arthur will start.

I thought we were slow starting vs Lyon at home then Cresswell got sent off and it was a mission.

Got to be more like the legendary Seville game on and off the pitch.

Pedro 5:38 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Masuaku will not start on Thursday.

If he does wing backs he will use Fornals on the left. He did well there in the few games he played it.

I think it will be tried and tested 4 2 3 1 / 4 33

Johnson at CB if Zouma still out

daveyg 5:27 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

TM
Me too . Moyes just can't see what Masuaku does or doesn't do. One weak header out was pathectic.
If he plays who do we leave out ?
We'll be weaker for sure.
Bowen replaces Yarmo,Antonio replaces Benrhama,Rice replaces Noble,Lanzini replaces Masuaku.

Westham67 5:26 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Thanks Irish

⚒️ 5:15 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

Miike,

Zouma’s back for Thurs mate.

Takashi Miike 5:06 Mon Apr 25
Re: Interesting Article : Moyes’ decision to rest key players against Chelsea was vindicated

my main worry about the display, and scoreline is it's now almost inevitable that he'll start with masuaku and take a body out of the midfield. i know he looked ok yesterday, but I don't want to take any risks in a semi final and he is an accident waiting to happen