Hammers boss David Moyes has hinted one West Ham star could be back on the bench for Brighton in decision that would be unpopular with fans.
After back-to-back defeats to start the new league season, West Ham entertain bogey side Brighton next at the London Stadium on Sunday.
There is no way to sugar coat it, West Ham’s record against the Seagulls since their promotion to the top flight is dismal.
In 10 Prem games between West Ham and Brighton since they came into the Premier League in 2017/2018 the Hammers have failed to wing a single match.
West Ham have lost four and drawn the other six.
Moyes and Graham Potter lock horns at the London Stadium with the Hammers in desperate need of a boost after another lacklustre performance in a 3-1 win over Danish side Viborg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The big positive from that game were the performances, on their full debuts, of new £35m striker signing Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet.
Scamacca got his first goal in the claret and blue and Cornet provided the assist.
There were also positives in that Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio also both got off the mark for the season.
Moyes has bemoaned his side’s performances throughout pre-season and has previously remarked that his West Ham side has started to look ‘stale’.
So it is hope the introduction of the new signings will help freshen things up.
But Moyes has hinted West Ham star Scamacca could be back on the bench for Brighton in a decision that would be unpopular with fans (whufc.com).
“I think in time he will have an impact,” Moyes said in his pre-Brighton press conference when asked whether Scamacca can now make his mark in the Premier League after getting his first goal.
“I don’t think it is fair to judge him right away.
“We will bring him into the Premier League gradually but we’ve seen enough to see he will bring a lot to us.”
Moyes’ comments certainly suggest Scamacca could be back on the bench for the Brighton game.
Fans are desperate to see their new man start and shine in the Premier League, especially with the Hammers needing a win.
But, as he proved more often than not, Moyes knows best and usually always bloods new players slowly, especially when they come from abroad.
Some Hammers fans would rather the Scot just threw Scamacca into the mix so he gets up to speed more quickly with the levels required.
The West Ham manager is known for playing mind games with his press conference comments over team news and selection.
So this could be something of a curve ball aimed in Potter’s direction as defending against Antonio is a different proposition to facing Scamacca.
We will find out at 1pm on Sunday when those team sheets go in at the London Stadium.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Expert says star isn’t a big deal in homeland but will be after West Ham move.
Mammoth Forest transfer raises big Declan Rice question for West Ham.
West Ham put move for defender on ice after request from selling club.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
