West Ham fans aimed chant at David Moyes and he delivered a surprising response which broke the habit of a lifetime in cup win at Lincoln

West Ham fans aimed a chant at David Moyes and he delivered a surprising response which broke the habit of a lifetime in the cup win at Lincoln.

They may be European champions but could West Ham do it on a cold, windy Wednesday night at Lincoln?

Yes they could. Just about.

The Hammers were playing their eighth game of the season in their third competition as they travelled to face League One Lincoln City in this Carabao Cup third round tie.

Could the European champs do it on a cold, windy night at Lincoln? Just about but a win’s a win and getting through is all that matters

David Moyes named a team with 10 changes from the defeat at Liverpool with only Tomas Soucek keeping his place – as predicted by Hammers News this afternoon.

Storm Agnes made its presence felt with the wind causing issues for West Ham and Lincoln.

But it did not stop an entertaining game ensuing.

Many West Ham fans were disappointed when they saw Danny Ings named up front ahead of exciting young forward Divin Mubama.

So their frustration was palpable when word and clips filtered through of Ings wasting some brilliant chances to give West Ham the lead in the first half.

Lukasz Fabianski was required to keep West Ham in the game on more than one occasion.

With over an hour gone the 1,800 travelling Hammers supporters sent a message to the manager.

West Ham fans aimed a chant at Moyes and he delivered a surprising response which broke the habit of a lifetime in the cup win at Lincoln.

The away end chanted Mubama’s name relentlessly at Moyes in a clear message to bring the striker on with Ings misfiring.

Moyes shocks by going 442 after fan chants and it paid off almost instantly

Moments later Moyes responded by giving the fans what they wanted – but broke the habit of a lifetime by keeping Ings on and playing TWO up front.

Switching to an “old school” 442 formation, Mubama came on for the disappointing Maxwel Cornet instead.

It clearly gave Lincoln more to worry about. Because just three minutes later they lost Soucek at a corner and the big reliable Czech bundled home at the near post from Said Benrahma’s cross.

Edson Alvarez almost handed Lincoln an equaliser on a plate when he gave the ball away late on. But Fabianski once again spared West Ham’s blushes.

Mohammed Kudus could and probably should have scored moments later. But the home goalkeeper Lukas Jensen pulled off a fine save as the Hammers secured a nervy 1-0 win.

READ ALSO

Star Xande Silva was discarded by West Ham and Nottingham Forest but is quietly resurrecting his career in MLS

Star Xande Silva was discarded by West Ham and Nottingham Forest but is quietly resurrecting his career in MLS.

There were high hopes for Portuguese striker Xande Silva when he joined West Ham from Vitoria Guimaraes back in

2018.

They were hopes they ultimately went unfulfilled as he made just two appearances for the Hammers before being sold to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2021 for £200,000.

At the time, David Moyes received criticism from some sections of the West Ham fanbase for letting a striker with potential leave to join Nottingham Forest.

Every cloud has a Silva lining…

But Silva looked to have proved Moyes was spot on as he struggled to make an impact at Forest, making just 10 appearances – eight of them in the Championship – and failing to score a single goal.

Nottingham Forest sold former West Ham striker Silva to French club Dijon last summer and he fared slightly better, playing 32 times and scoring six goals.

Star Silva was discarded by West Ham and Nottingham Forest but is now quietly resurrecting his career in MLS.

Star Xande Silva was discarded by West Ham and Notts Forest but is quietly resurrecting his career in MLS

Last month Silva, now 26, was loaned to MLS side Atlanta United for the remainder of their season.

And the ex West Ham and Forest flop is starting to turn heads with his performances.

Atlanta are fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference.

West Ham and Nottingham Forest fans may be interested to know Silva has scored twice and laid on two assists in five games.

But it is his all round performances that have impressed. He looks fit, strong, powerful and focused.

Great to see former Hammers and Forest striker starting to realise his potential

And in Atlanta’s 4-1 win over Montreal last time out, Silva was man of the match with a 9/10 rating after scoring and laying on an assist.

That is not to suggest West Ham or Nottingham Forest necessarily made a mistake letting Silva go.

Every player takes a different path on their own personal journey.

His time at West Ham was hampered when he underwent emergency surgery on his stomach.

So after the health issues he endured at the London Stadium – it is great that the forward is finally starting to realise the potential that saw the Hammers – and then Forest – take a chance on him in the first place.

READ ALSO