Roy Keane thinks David Moyes is growing very frustrated with the West Ham owners and has called for the Scot to get transfer backing.
Moyes has cut a very agitated figure at West Ham over the summer.
After West Ham’s lethargic pre-season draw with Reading last month, Moyes warned his players they simply must up their levels.
The Scot cut a frustrated figure, which – given it was only a pre-season game – suggested the manager had very real concerns.
They were heightened when West Ham were then thumped by Rangers at Ibrox. And after that game a visibly irked Moyes fired a transfer ultimatum to the club’s owners David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and David Gold.
Ahead of a lacklustre opening day defeat to Man City, Moyes made it clear – in an interview with The Evening Standard and his pre-match press conference – that he was not happy with the lack of depth in West Ham’s squad and insisted he needs more quality players.
And in what felt like a broadcast message to fans, his owners and pundits, Moyes declared that many people are underestimating the rebuild he has on his hands at West Ham this summer.
Following the defeat to defending champions Man City, Moyes conceded his side had not laid a glove on their opponents.
And the Scot said he felt his side was looking ‘stale’.
Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Keane says the recent demeanour of, and comments from, the Hammers boss had caught his attention.
Roy Keane thinks David Moyes is growing very frustrated with West Ham owners and calls for transfer backing
Keane thinks Moyes is growing very frustrated with the West Ham owners and has called for transfer backing at the London Stadium.
“If you look at some of his press conferences over the last week or so, I think he is frustrated,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“He keeps saying ‘we need a stronger squad’. Their starting XI and generally this group of players has done really well over the last year or two but David will know better than anybody, you need to bring fresh faces in, keep the hunger in the group.
“He does look frustrated… this group of players has done great this last couple of years but they need a helping hand.”
Keane’s fellow pundit Micah Richards agreed with Keane and feels West Ham’s squad looks light on numbers.
West Ham have made five signings this summer – four of them new faces on last season’s squad.
But the Hammers have seen Mark Noble retire, released Ryan Fredericks, Andriy Yarmolenko and David Martin, sold Aji Alese to Sunderland and loaned Arthur Masuaku to Besiktas with a view to a permanent move.
Reports have claimed Issa Diop, Nikola Vlasic and Said Benrahma could also be sold.
So Moyes would need at least another four or five quality players before the window closes if West Ham are to have any realistic hope of challenging for the top six again.