David Moyes delivers Said Benrahma verdict after West Ham United lost 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
The Hammers were incredibly lethargic against Spurs yesterday afternoon.
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It was hardly a surprise considering the players’ exertions in the Europa League against Sevilla on Thursday night.
The result was obviously an incredibly disappointing one. It’s never nice to lose a London derby.
There was one silver lining from the match, however, and that was the performance of Said Benrahma.
The Algerian scored a goal and was brilliant throughout. In my view, he was the standout performer for West Ham against Tottenham.
David Moyes and Said Benrahma have hardly been a match made in heaven over the past 18 months. In fairness, the 26-year-old has flattered to deceive but the Scot’s treatment of him has been questionable as well.
Benrahma seems to be a player who thrives on confidence but Moyes continually takes the hardline approach with him. And the Hammers boss did the same once again yesterday…
David Moyes delivers Said Benrahma verdict
The Algerian took his goal really well yesterday and was a constant menace inside the final third.
Benny put in a real defensive shift too and when he lost the ball, he always tried to make up for his mistakes by tracking back.
And when asked whether he was frustrated with Benrahma yesterday, Moyes admitted that yes, he was, as quoted by Football.London:
“Yes, when he was caught on the edge of the box and thought it was a free-kick, and I felt he could have released the ball a bit quicker. But Said has come back to life a bit, there was nothing [wrong] with Said today he has come back to life and is beginning to show better signs again and the goal today will help him.”
You have to feel a bit for Benrahma.
He was truly magnificent against Tottenham in my opinion.
And even when he put in what was arguably his best ever performance for West Ham, Moyes still couldn’t find it in him to lavish praise on him without having a little dig at the same time.
Who knows? Perhaps Benrahma does respond better to criticism than praise. It will be interesting to see how he performs during the final two months of the season. We need the 26-year-old to be at his absolute best if we are to finish inside the top six this term.
All we can do is hope that Moyes knows more than us and is indeed getting the best out Benrahma, slowly but surely.
He has bagged nine goals and six assists in 38 games so far this season (Transfermarkt). And if he can add say another six goals/assists between now and May then we think West Ham should have a good chance of finishing inside the European places.
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