David Moyes says he has not been overly impressed by West Ham summer signing Flynn Downes so far and demands better.
When West Ham came somewhat out of nowhere to beat Crystal Palace to the signing of Flynn Downes earlier this summer it was seen as a real coup.
For just £12.5m the Hammers had signed a boyhood West Ham fan with many similar traits to departing skipper Mark Noble and his heir Declan Rice.
A young, hungry player from the Championship with superb statistics, Downes perfectly fits Moyes’ new recruitment philosophy at West Ham.
The former Swansea and Ipswich star was in line to make his full West Ham debut in the Europa Conference League game against Viborg on Thursday night.
But a minor toe injury put paid to that.
There has been talk in West Ham circles that Downes has been struggling with the step up in quality in training since signing for his beloved Hammers.
Downes himself admitted in an interview this week that it has been tough, describing training as ‘a wake-up call’ (Evening Standard).
West Ham fans know Moyes is as honest as the day is long. The Scot is very demanding. And that has helped turn West Ham from relegation contenders into a genuine European outfit over the last two and a half years.
Now Moyes says he has not been overly impressed by West Ham summer signing Downes so far and demands better.
Downes, Moyes insists, will need time like so many others he has taken on from the Championship over the years.
“I think we need to give him a bit of time,” Moyes said about Downes in his pre-Brighton presser, as also quoted by Football.London.
“As I said, he would have played (against Viborg) if it wasn’t for his toe.
“The things I’ve seen of him, he needs to do better and we’re already (working on those things).
“But we’ll get him a game when we can. All the players have to earn it and I have to find a way of winning most of the games.
“If it takes me putting the better players out to win, well I want to win. I’m not putting the boys out just to lose and say ‘I’m giving them a game.’ I want to win the games.”
Central midfield is arguably one of the most difficult positions let alone at Premier League level.
So Downes was always going to need time.
Let’s hope our fellow Hammer can showcase what he’s all about if and when he gets his chance.
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