David Moyes has revealed the surprise name he dishes the most rollickings out to at West Ham United and why.
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Moyes led West Ham to their best ever Premier League points total last season and into the Europa League.
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It was some achievement from Moyes and his team and much of it comes from the manager’s high standards.
West Ham were driven on by their best player and the man who captained the team for much of the campaign, Declan Rice.
A star for club and country, Rice’s enthusiasm and constant improvement is a sight to behold.
Many would think Rice would be the manager’s pet and somewhat above criticism given his supreme performances and value to the team.
Moyes reveals Hammers hero Rice gets the most rollickings from him and why
But Moyes has revealed it is actually Rice who he dishes out the most ‘rollickings’ to – although the manager used a more expletive word – in an interview with The Times.
The Hammers boss revealed he targets Rice because he knows he can take the criticism in a positive way and has the potential to go on and get even better than he already is for West Ham.
“Often, it is the leaders who have to take the most b o ll o ckings from the management — because as coaches we know they are the ones who will respond to in the right way,” Moyes told The Times.
“We know that if we place big demands on them, they will embrace them and influence the group.
‘I’ll always keep on your case, because it is the way to keep improving you’
“I am always on at Declan, because I believe he is such a good player and that his standards are so high. I tell him, “I’ll always keep on your case, because it is the way to keep improving you.”
“What’s great is he how reacts. Unlike some players when you criticise them, he never closes himself off.
“He is very open to advice, he listens and talks about football a lot. He loves, and is a student of, the game. His parents are lovely people and his family is a great influence on him. He has great values, is very humble and it is just a pleasure seeing someone like him doing well.”
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