David Moyes has plenty to ponder after being appointed West Ham first-team manager on an 18-month contract.
Moyes replaces Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked on Saturday, and returns to the London Stadium after an interim spell during the 2017-18 season with a number of issues to contend with.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of those issues.
Rocket man
Channel Ant and Dec
Forever grateful for the trust you showed in me and the opportunities you gave me. Thank you for everything and best of luck for the future⚒ @Ing_Pellegrini pic.twitter.com/kHoFoogiAE
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) December 29, 2019
Michail Antonio has put his injury problems behind him and is back looking like the player who was on the fringes of the England squad a few seasons ago. Declan Rice is having a tough season but needs time to rediscover his form. Moyes knows both players from his previous spell in charge. They will be crucial to West Ham’s revival.
Angry Anderson
Wing it
Happy birthday @RyanFredericks_ ??
Always bringing the ? on the pitch and the ? off it… pic.twitter.com/63EwKWsy91
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 10, 2019
Arthur Masuaku is not a full-back. Neither is Ryan Fredericks. Pellegrini’s rigid four at the back frequently left both exposed. Moyes is likely to switch to three centre-halves, which will free up the speedy duo to play the wing-back role which both are far more suited to.
January sales
“What I will guarantee is that me and the staff will try and get every drop out of the players that we can.”
Watch David Moyes’ first interview after rejoining West Ham United ⬇️
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 30, 2019
If Moyes wants to add to his squad he needs to get rid of some dead wood first, and there is plenty of it. Calamity goalkeeper Roberto will be top of the list, although takers might be hard to come by. Carlos Sanchez and Albian Ajeti are unlikely to figure in Moyes’ plans either. Meanwhile, Grady Diangana could be recalled from his loan spell at West Brom.
