David Moyes is eyeing FA Cup success with West Ham this season and believes the competition ‘could open up’ in the latter rounds.
West Ham travel to face Derby County this weekend as the Hammers look to progress to the fifth round for a third consecutive campaign.
The Hammers have struggled in the Premier League so far this season, but Moyes is hopeful that the club can have a good run in the FA Cup. Moyes believes the competition could open up in the latter stages, with Chelsea and Newcastle already eliminated and one of title-chasing Arsenal and Manchester City set to go out on Friday evening.
The Scot has discussed his ambition to win silverware and says West Ham are aiming to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1980.
“I got to the final with Everton, and was at Preston when we went 2-0 up against Arsenal’s Invincibles and lost 4-2,” he told his pre-match press conference. “The competition could open up as a few clubs have been knocked out already, so these ties get thrown up, but the draw can sometimes go against you or you can play badly and get knocked out
“It would be huge for me to win a trophy. I try every year. Just because you change a few players doesn’t mean you don’t want to win a trophy as you have squads of players to look after.
“We’ve seen that in the FA Cup already this season, with clubs changing their players around. Ultimately, the best sides in the country tend to win the FA Cup, so we need to prove we’re one of them and try and win the trophy.”
🗣 "Every year I try to win a trophy."
David Moyes says that squad rotation does not mean that clubs don't care about the FA Cup pic.twitter.com/6ky4PnUCXj
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 27, 2023
West Ham ended a run of seven league games without a win against Everton last weekend, as Jarrod Bowen’s double lifted the Hammers out of the Premier League’s relegation places. Moyes hopes his side can build on that result as the club look to turn their season around.
“Any win, you feel much better. I’ve got to say it was an important win for us and we were pleased to get it,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity but you still have to win the games put in front of you. This time last year we were minutes from being knocked out at Kidderminster.
“Derby are on a really good run. They’re a Premier League club in stature and size, so we’ll give them respect but we hope to get through to the next round.”
Moyes was asked whether a win this weekend could help West Ham’s Premier League form and said he is keen to see improvement from his team in both results and performances.
“We’ve had some OK performances which didn’t lead to results, then last week we had an OK performance which did lead to a win, so we need better performances and more victories.”
