Paul Merson has warned West Ham United that the Irons ‘might be in trouble’ if they sack David Moyes. He firmly believes the Hammers will avoid relegation with the Scot in charge.
West Ham have endured a dismal run in the Premier League so far this season to sit in just 17th place. The London Stadium natives are also only outside of the bottom three on goal difference to Everton. Moyes’ squad edges Frank Lampard’s having scored just once more.
The Irons have found the back of the net 15 times in 18 games to 24 goals conceded so far this season. While the Toffees have fired home just 14 times to 24 goals shipped over their 18 matches. The two teams have also only amassed 15 points each across 2022/23 to date.
West Ham will now visit a relegation rival in Wolves this Saturday and will fall into the drop zone with a defeat. The Molineux natives sit just a point behind the Hammers in 19th place after their own issues. Wolves have hit a top-flight low 11 to 27 goals allowed in 18 games.
Only Nottingham Forest, in 15th place, have also scored fewer goals than Everton or West Ham with 13. Bottom of the table Southampton have hit 15 goals over 18 matches like the Irons. But they have shipped 33 – only Bournemouth (39) and Forest (34) have let in more.
Merson backs West Ham to avoid relegation if they do not sack Moyes
This season’s troubles have marked a huge step backwards by West Ham having finished in seventh last term and sixth in 2020/21. They also made the Europa League semi-finals last season. Moyes then paid £30.5m to sign Gianluca Scamacca and £51m for Lucas Paqueta.
Neither of the Hammers’ big summer signings have yet hit great heights in claret-and-blue. So, with relegation from the Premier League a possibility, West Ham are considering if they need to sack Moyes. But owner David Sullivan and the Irons board, currently, still back him.
That is according to The Sun, which reports Sullivan will give Moyes a chance to turn their campaign around. But West Ham are keeping tabs on West Brom boss Carlos Corberan as a potential replacement. The Hammers admire what the Spaniard has done at the Baggies.
Merson believes Sullivan and West Ham are right to not sack Moyes as he is the manager who will guide the Irons clear of relegation. The Arsenal icon also doubts that Wolves will go down after sacking Bruno Lage in October and appointing Julen Lopetegui in November.
“I know this is currently a relegation battle,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda. “But I don’t see either of these teams going down because their managers are good. If West Ham sack Moyes, I think they might be in trouble.
“David Moyes is turning a corner at West Ham and he’s done well to revive his side’s fortunes. Wolves will avoid relegation, as well. This could be a tight game, and I think Wolves will win it [1-0].”
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