by Staff Writer
Friday, 14th March 2025
David Moyes has admitted he isn't looking forward to facing West Ham United for the first time since he left the club last year.
Installed as Everton boss following his departure from the club, Moyes is yet to face the club he led to European success in Prague in 2023.
However that is all set to change this weekend when West Ham provide the next opposition for a resurgent Everton, who have hit the ground running since Moyes returned to the Merseyside-based club.
And he admits that the game will be a fascinating encounter, with both sides knowing each other so well. Asked about his thoughts ahead of the tie, Moyes admitted that he had fond memories of his time in east London.
"I faced Everton with Manchester United and other clubs as well so it is different because I left a club that I really, really enjoyed," he said, when asked about his feelings ahead of the game.
"I had a great time with everybody at the club. The times we had after winning the European trophy and coming back to see what the East End of London was like was fantastic.
"To be fair, I'd not brough all of the players into West Ham, but the bulk of them were probably on my watch. I've got a lot of really close bonds with the players there so it'll be great to see them all, but a really difficult situation to be coming up against them."
With both sides some considerable margin away form the relegation zone, both Moyes and Graham Potter could be forgiven for thinking their respective teams are already safe from the drop.
However Moyes admitted that he wants to continue what has been a thoroughly productive return to the north west.
"I think we'll both be hoping that the points we've already got will be enough [to stave off any fears of relegation], but I think we'll both be aware that we want to improve and we want to get better," he said. "We want to get more points - so I have to go and beat West Ham."
And when asked whether or not knowing the opponent's players so well would work to his advantage, Moyes insisted that effect worked both ways,
"Absolutely not!" he replied. "I know what they're all capable of and I know what they can do, so from that pointy of view I think in many ways it makes it more difficult. And they'll also know quite a lot about me as well.
"But Everton's where I work and we're getting good results at the moment - and my plan is to try and get another good result."
You may see Moyes' pre-match presser in full below.
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