Star Vladimir Coufal is the latest West Ham player to aim a not so subtle dig at David Moyes’ defensive tactics.
There has been intense speculation over Moyes’ West Ham future amid the club’s dismal Premier League form this season.
The Hammers are facing a fight to the death to stay in the top flight.
But whatever fans or players think about the manager one thing is clear, the Scot is going nowhere until the summer at least.
There has been much criticism of Moyes’ setup, tactics, team selection and negative approach to matches with the Hammers having won just 15 of their last 53 Premier League games.
Many feel that under Moyes the greater emphasis is on being risk averse rather than taking on risk for reward.
There have been murmurings about discontent among players and staff at West Ham over Moyes’ tactics too.
Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg claimed some West Ham players have had doubts about their manager since the end of last season.
Captain Declan Rice has appeared to question Moyes’ approach on more than one occasion this season. Skipper Rice appeared to criticise Moyes’ tactics following the defeats to Spurs (The Sun) and Brighton (Sky Sports).
Said Benrahma implored Moyes to let him off the leash more so he can express himself in a bid to create and score more goals.
Star Vladimir Coufal is the latest West Ham player to aim a not so subtle dig at David Moyes’ defensive tactics
Now star Vladimir Coufal is the latest West Ham player to aim a not so subtle dig at Moyes’ defensive tactics.
That’s certainly how it comes across in a new interview.
In it, the fullback even admits he “shouldn’t be saying this” as he makes it clear he would prefer to focus on attacking and helping the team score rather than keep clean sheets.
But he says he will continue to follow orders and be a team player.
“To be honest, for me personally it is more important to make some assists than keep a clean sheet,” Coufal said on the club’s official website.
“I shouldn’t say that because I’m defender, but I was always an attack-minded player.
“I like attacking, I prefer to win 4-3 than 1-0, so I like to make assists and I’m really struggling this season because I created some opportunities but unfortunately we didn’t score from them, but I hopefully we can keep on from this and I will add some assists by the end of the season.
“My first season was great. Almost from every cross we scored, so it was like amazing, but this season we didn’t score as many goals as we wanted, so it’s a bit difficult.
“But, as I said, I am always a team player and for me, the team’s success is always the first ahead of the personal stuff.”