West Ham have taken the highly unusual step of naming a player who will start against AEK Larnaca amid the Gianluca Scamacca speculation.
West Ham fans and journalists know just how difficult it can be getting information on team news and selection out of David Moyes ahead of a game.
The Scot is very much old school in that sense and keeps things close to his chest so as not to give the opposition even the slightest advantage.
Football at the top level is a game of fine margins so that is understandable.
“I won’t be telling you” is the response the West Ham manager often gives when asked if certain players will be available for games.
Moyes appears to have completely let his guard down ahead of the Europa Conference League second leg clash with AEK Larnaca, though.
Because West Ham have taken the highly unusual step of naming a player who will start against Larnaca amid the Scamacca speculation.
Whether the Hammers feel supremely confident given their 2-0 aggregate lead or Moyes is trying to defuse the situation surrounding Scamacca, the club has confirmed the Italian will be starting up front against the Cypriot side.
In his pre-match press conference, Moyes moved to shutdown claims of a rift with Scamacca after criticising his output in training.
Despite being available for the last few weeks, Scamacca has barely been used by Moyes.
he Italian has been an unused substitute in West Ham’s last four Premier League games including the 1-1 draw at home with Aston Villa on Sunday.
A picture emerged after the game showing Scamcca sat on the floor and looking disconsolate. And it sparked an angry reaction from supporters towards Moyes with the hashtag #FreeScamacca trending on Twitter for a time.
Well it seems he is about to be “freed” with West Ham confirming he will be starting up front for tonight’s home leg.
A team news article on West Ham’s official website states: “David Moyes plans to start Gianluca Scamacca in Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 second-leg tie with AEK Larnaca…
“The 24-year-old has not started a game for the Hammers since scoring from outside the penalty area in the Premier League draw at Leeds United on 4 January but, after appearing for the last 30 minutes in last week’s 2-0 first-leg win over AEK in Cyprus, he is set to appear from the kick-off against the same opposition at London Stadium.
“Thursday is a good chance for Gianluca [to start],” Moyes told journalists in his pre-match press conference.”
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