David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood or John Lyall (Joe Giddens/PA)

David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood or John Lyall (Joe Giddens/PA)

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David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall

David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood or John Lyall (Joe Giddens/PA)

David Moyes may stand just one match from writing his name into West Ham folklore, but he will not compare himself to the club’s two managerial greats.

If the Hammers overcome Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night, Moyes will become only the third manager, after Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, to guide the east London club to a major trophy.

Greenwood, who went on to manage England, was in charge when West Ham won their only previous European trophy, the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964, while their last piece of silverware, the FA Cup, came under Lyall in 1980.

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David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall

David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood or John Lyall (Joe Giddens/PA)

Andy Sims, PA
07 June, 2023 04:33
David Moyes may stand just one match from writing his name into West Ham folklore, but he will not compare himself to the club’s two managerial greats.

If the Hammers overcome Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night, Moyes will become only the third manager, after Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, to guide the east London club to a major trophy.

Greenwood, who went on to manage England, was in charge when West Ham won their only previous European trophy, the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964, while their last piece of silverware, the FA Cup, came under Lyall in 1980.

Prague preparations 🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/Ar2cY7ChfC

— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 6, 2023

Yet Moyes insisted: “I don’t think of myself as any different to anyone else in this room.

“I’m really fortunate and privileged and thankful to be given an opportunity to be a football manager and to have the opportunity to go this far in my career and be on a stage like this.

“I think it’s really special. I don’t ever really think of myself as being a legend or any words like that.

“I’d just like to be known as a football manager and one who’s serious about his job and tries to do the best he possibly can, week-in week-out, try to prepare my teams to be competitive.

“I’d like to be known as much for that as much as I would the word ‘legend’, really.”

The final will hold special memories for West Ham’s Czech duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who both played for Slavia Prague at the Eden Arena.

Midfielder Soucek said: “When I realised one year ago that the final was in Prague and we were in this competition, I was like, ‘come on guys, we have to go there’.

“And now we are here in the Eden Arena in Prague, I can connect with the two teams I love.”

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West Ham United v Fiorentina: Talking points for final

West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League, looking to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1980.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the talking points ahead of the Hammers’ big night in Prague.

Declan’s destiny?

It is no secret that Declan Rice will leave West Ham this summer, but he is hell bent on signing off in style.

The England midfielder is destined for bigger things with Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich the frontrunners for his signature.

But first, Rice is desperate to emulate Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds by becoming only the third West Ham captain to lift a trophy – and the first in 43 years – and in doing so write his name into Hammers folklore.

Moyes’ future?

Similarly to his captain, David Moyes could become only the third West Ham manager to guide them to silverware, following in the fabled footsteps of Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.

There is a growing narrative that were he to achieve it the Scot, who turned 60 this year, could be forgiven for deciding to leave the club on a high, especially given their struggles in the Premier League this season which at times, he admitted, left him close to the sack.

Keeper quandary

Moyes is set to start with cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola despite Lukasz Fabianski being the club’s number one. But if the match goes to penalties Moyes will have a big decision to make.

Fabianski has an excellent spot-kick record – he has saved 11 in the Premier League alone. Areola, by contrast, dived the wrong way for eight consecutive penalties when West Ham lost an FA Cup shoot-out to Blackburn in November.

If the final goes the distance Fabianski could be summoned from the bench and have a big part to play in this competition after all.

Czech mates

Full-back Vladimir Coufal and midfielder Tomas Soucek have had their sights set on reaching the final ever since the venue was confirmed; the Fortuna Arena is the home of their former club, Slavia Prague.

Coufal has even promised to treat his team-mates to a famous Czech beer or two if they go on and lift the trophy.

Fiorentina form

West Ham remain the bookmakers’ favourites to win the tournament, but only just following Fiorentina’s storming end to the domestic season.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side have won eight, drawn four and lost just two matches since March, securing an eighth-placed finish in Serie A.

Their attacking style should suit Moyes’ counter-attacking tactics, but while West Ham have enjoyed a very agreeable draw on their journey to Prague, this promises to be tough.

Mark Noble brilliantly interviewed by boozing West Ham fan while out for run in Prague

WARNING, FOUL LANGUAGE: West Ham playing legend turned sporting director happily chatted with a boozing Hammers supporter on the eve of the Europa League final against Fiorentina in Prague

Mark Noble and Aaron Cresswell as the West Ham party boarded their plane to Prague (Image: Andrew Fosker/REX/Shutterstock)

Mark Noble was accosted by a boozing West Ham fan while out for a run in Prague ahead of the Europa Conference League final.

The Hammers are set for one of the biggest games in their entire history as they take on Italian side Fiorentina on Wednesday night. Victory for the Hammers would more than make up for a sub-standard Premier League campaign, and clinch a place in the UEFA’s second club competition, the Europa League, next season.

With the stadium in Prague having a paltry capacity of just 20,000, tickets are few and far between, but that hasn’t stopped tens of thousands of fans from travelling over to sample the atmosphere and enjoy some legendary Czech beer.

They include Matt Groombridge who, while enjoying a beer on the eve of the game, spotted Hammers legend Noble, now the club’s sporting director, who was out jogging.

Not content with shouting ‘hello’, Groombridge decided to join Noble on his run while holding a can of beer.

How do you doing Mark, alright, mate?,” asks a slightly-panting Groombridge. Noble replies: “F****** sweet.” The former midfielder then asks about his choice of beer, with Groombridge confirming it is a “pilsner”.

What’s your prediction for Europa Conference League final? Tell us in the comments section below

“Are we going to win tomorrow?,” he then asks. Noble replies: “I hope so.” The pair then wish each other well before going their separate ways.

The clip went down a storm with Hammers fans, with one tweeting: “Absolutely class mate.” Another said: “You legend.”

A third laughed: “Quality hahahahhaha.” Meanwhile, a fourth joked: “Good to see you’ve nailed this jogging lark Matt… who’s that slacker with you?”

The Hammers were disappointingly given just 5,000 tickets for the game, with demand far outstripping supply. Around 25,000 ticketless fans are expected in Prague for what they hope will be the club’s first major silverware in decades.

Moyes, Soucek & Bowen: pre match press conference

By Staff Writer Tuesday, 6th June 2023

David Moyes, Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen have been addressing the media on the eve of West Ham United’s biggest game since the 2006 FA Cup Final.

The Hammers face Fiorentina in the Conference League Final in Prague on Wednesday evening and the duo were placed on media duties alongside manager Moyes.

You may listen to the thoughts of all three by clikcing on the respective ‘play’ buttons in the videos below

Meanwhile, the West Ham network have spoken to a number of former players for their thoughts ahead of Wednesday’s showpiece final – you may listen to those below, plus watch West Ham’s final full training session ahead of the game.

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West Ham players make David Moyes look bad by raving about ‘magician’ who’s made just 2 Premier League starts this season

West Ham players make David Moyes look bad by raving about ‘magician’ who’s made just two Premier League starts this season.

David Moyes has been criticised for his poor man management of certain West Ham players this summer.

The Hammers boss clearly has his favourites, whilst others have struggled for minutes all season long.

One of those players is Manuel Lanzini. The Argentinian, 30, has made only two Premier League starts this season, whilst playing a total of just 246 minutes in the league (Who Scored).

His lack of action this season in the Premier League baffled me at times, and judging by some of the West Ham players’ comments, Moyes should have played him more…

West Ham players rave about star David Moyes has left out in the cold

The Hammers players took part in a Q&A session with UEFA, and left no doubts as to how they feel about Lanzini.

Jarrod Bowen labelled him as a ‘magician’, Said Benrahma and Aaron Cresswell called him a ‘diamond’ and Tomas Soucek described him as the ‘Argentinian special one’:

It’s clear to see just how highly rated Manuel Lanzini is at West Ham amongst his peers, it’s just a shame that David Moyes doesn’t share the same level of admiration.

Lanzini is out of contract at the London Stadium this summer, although the Hammers do have the option to extend that deal by a further two years.

After David Moyes barely used him for West Ham this season though, it’s highly unlikely than Manu will remain at the club beyond the end of the summer transfer window as far as I’m concerned.