A new relegation twist at survival rivals Leicester has boosted West Ham and given the board vindication as talks collapse.
West Ham have given their chances of Premier League survival a massive shot in the arm with two wins in a week.
The Hammers are in the thick of one the tightest relegation battles ever alongside the likes of Leicester City and now probably six other clubs.
Because Crystal Palace’s thumping 5-1 win over Leeds has likely put them on the brink of survival.
Just four points separate six clubs from Wolves in 13th down to Forest in 18th with West Ham sitting 14th on 30 points.
Now things are very much in West Ham’s hands when it comes to survival. Match the points return of the likes of Forest and Leicester in their last nine games and West Ham will stay up.
There is now even a little bit of leeway given defeats for Leicester and Forest at the weekend.
David Moyes has been under severe pressure to cling on to his job as Hammers boss. Especially since Leicester sacked reported West Ham managerial target Brendan Rodgers last weekend before the Hammers then lost 5-1 to Newcastle in midweek.
But the West Ham board have continued to stick by Moyes despite 11 of their Premier League rivals changing manager this season – some of them twice.
Clubs in the relegation battle have clearly been seeking that new manager bounce with Leicester the latest when they relived Rodgers of his duties.
So a new relegation twist at survival rivals Leicester boosts West Ham and gives the board vindication as talks collapse.
Former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch had looked set to take over at Leicester for the run-in.
But according to a host of sources including Sky Sports, talks between the Foxes and enthusiastic American Marsch have collapsed overnight.
The report confirmed West Ham’s survival rivals were in advanced talks with Marsch. But it is stated he will now not be taking over from Rodgers.
Leicester sit 19th with a daunting trip to the Etihad to face Man City up next.
Given the remaining fixtures for the likes of Forest and Leicester and now the manager situation at the latter, West Ham will feel increasingly confident they will be able to avoid the drop.
And that may be vindication for the Hammers board for sticking rather than twisting.
Moyes will hope to continue to edge towards safety in order to free themselves of pressure for a tilt at winning the Europa Conference League.
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