West Ham United manager David Moyes admits he does not want to enter the final two games of the season still having to fight for survival in the Premier League.
With four games remaining of the Premier League season, the Hammers sit just four points clear of the relegation zone but in 15th place, with West Ham leading the bottom six and with a decent points advantage of Leicester City, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Southampton below them.
On paper, West Ham have the easiest run of fixtures of the bottom six, based on current league positions, although their toughest two come up first, hosting Manchester United on Sunday before travelling across London to Brentford a week later.
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After that, West Ham’s season in the Premier League ends with a home meeting against Leeds preceding a trip to Leicester on the final day.
To add to the occasion, ex-Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has recently returned to the Premier League to take the reins at Leeds for their final four matches, starting against league leaders Manchester City this weekend.
For Moyes, he hopes that safety is wrapped before that Leeds and Leicester doubleheader, with a focus being on trying to beat Man United on Sunday first up.
“The sooner we get the points required, the better,” said Moyes. I don't think there's a better formula than just saying the next game is the most important, get it done.
“The focus is on Man United and then move on to what's next.”
Speaking on Allardyce’s return, his first managerial role in two years, Moyes said it was great to have the 68-year-old back in England’s top-flight, with Moyes and Allardyce third and fifth in the Premier League’s all-time list of most games managed respectively.
However, Moyes is hoping that Allardyce’s return will not prove to haunt Moyes and West Ham in their quest to survive.
“I’m really pleased Big Sam is back because he’s a terrific football man,” added Moyes. “Well-versed in football and the Premier League.
“I’m pleased to see him back, but I hope it’s not to the detriment of ourselves.”
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