09 December 2023 , 06:00
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David Moyes says West Ham are not equipped to push for a top-six finish.
Thursday night’s smash and grab win away to Tottenham has moved the Hammers to within three points of the expected fifth Champions League spot.
But Moyes is keen to play down expectations despite taking 10 points from their past four games and he considers his team to still be in a state of integration with fewer resources compared to several rivals.
“I don’t know if we can,” he said. “If I’m being realistic a top-six finish for us is too much. The level of the teams like Newcastle and Villa, with their resources. Brighton, who might be having a stickier time being in Europe, as well.
“But there are a bundle of teams amongst it and playing so well and because of that it will be really tough. Whether we can hang on their shirt tails, let’s see where we can go.”
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Yet with progress to the Europa League knockout stages secured and an EFL Cup quarter-final away to Liverpool on December 20, Moyes is more than satisfied with how his team is performing.
He added: “We’ve steadily gone along. I can only try to win the games and do what we’re doing. We’ve qualified for Europe after Christmas time, we’re in a League Cup quarter-final.
“We’d like to be first in the Premier League but we don’t quite have that quality or ability. We’re trying to get back up there, we really are, but I’m fully aware that we’re in a period where we’re trying to make things better and integrate two or three players and we’re still probably trying to add to it as well.”
Moyes hopes to recall goalkeeper Alphonse Areola for Sunday's trip to Fulham. The French stopper was injured making a save in training but is expected to make a swift recovery after sitting out the Spurs win.
“I don’t think it’s that bad,” Moyes said. “He may be available for Sunday, he could be.” Striker Michail Antonio remains sidelined with a knee injury but he has returned to running.