West Ham United boss David Moyes spoke to the media at length during Friday's pre-match press conference ahead of facing Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Hammers go into Sunday's game at the City Ground hoping to record their first Premier League points of the season following a 2-0 opening weekend defeat to Manchester City last Sunday.
Here is every word Moyes said on injuries, transfers, Thilo Kehrer, Matheus Nunes, Jesse Lingard and more.
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What is the latest team news?
It will probably be the same group of players roughly as last week. Daws (Craig Dawson) is doing well, so we will see how he is. Angelo Ogbonna is coming back, he’s coming on from his cruciate, so hopefully we will have more squad players fit. Lukasz (Fabianski) has got a knock, we don’t know how he’s going to be yet. Micky Antonio had a bit of a knock as well, but he’s trained today so we expect him to be okay.
Are Maxwel Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca ready to start for you?
I think they are ready to start. I think it’s just a decision whether we are ready to play them yet. They are getting much closer, that is for sure.
Was it best to move on Nikola Vlasic and Issa Diop or was it good money for the club?
I think it was important that Arthur (Masuaku) left. He has been great for us, I just felt that Arthur needed more playing time. He didn’t get as much game time last year, so it was an opportunity for him to play. With Nicky Vlasic, we just felt we couldn’t guarantee a position for him, so it’s a chance to play, a loan for him. Issa felt that he was going to be not involved as much so the decision was taken and he was sold.
With such a busy season, has it enhanced the need for more signings?
It is important that you get good players in, you don’t want to fill places for the sake of doing so. We’re going to try and add people who we think can make the team better, can bring some value to what is here already. We will try and do that, there is never any guarantee with that. We are trying really hard, we’ve made lots of offers but quite often, you don’t get them to go through.
Is there an update on the club’s pursuit of Thilo Kehrer?
If I was going to give an update, I would first of all give it to my club team, that is what I would do first of all. We’re not any further forward with it at the moment but we are progressing.
A Premier League club has offered terms to Memphis Depay, is that West Ham?
No. If it is, I don’t know about it, that is for sure.
When you get linked with players and other managers and clubs do, is the message that you make the decisions and that is that?
I think lots of clubs might work in a different way so I am not sure that is true at every club. Some clubs might work through sporting directors or maybe in a different way. It can vary for whatever club you are at.
Matheus Nunes has been linked with a few clubs. Are West Ham among those interested?
Yes, we bid for him, but the boy chose not to come.
Do you just move on from that and go to other targets?
That’s what you do, yes.
Is that what the summer is, just moving from target to target?
You do hope to try and add players that can make us competitive. We want to try and continue to be around the top of the league, so we’re going for good players, good quality players. Sometimes, good players have good quality options or other ideas at certain times as well.
Do you understand the frustration from fans to Jesse Lingard for not returning this summer?
The player has his own choice to go where he wants. I’ve got to say the directors and owners made a great offer for Jesse, they really did try and push the boat out to try and get him and didn’t get him, he chose Forest and that’s Jesse’s choice. There’s no failing of the club of what they tried to do to get Jesse.
Nottingham Forest are trying to sign three more players before Sunday, despite a lot of signings already? Is that admirable or too many incomings?
I’m not an expert in Notts Forest, I know we play them in the next game so I might not be the best one to ask about their incomings, the reasons why are doing them or who they are bringing in. I’ve got big respect for the manager, Steve Cooper, he’s done an incredible job to get Nottingham Forest in the Premier League from where they were last year. You have to give them huge praise for what they have done, but I can’t really answer your question on their signings and what they are planning to do. I’ve been really impressed with how they have gone about their work in the last 12 months or so.
Will the heat and drinks breaks play on your mind ahead of this weekend?
I don’t think it will play on my mind any more. I think the hot weather is something we are probably not so used to in this country but I have worked in Spain before and with drinks breaks and the players have got on with it. Games have been played in evenings, for example, which can sometimes help as well but it’s not what we are used to. Overall, we will get on with it and we will try and do the best we can.
You said Manchester City was the toughest test you could have had to start the season with. How does facing Nottingham Forest compare?
A big challenge. You only need to look at what Fulham done in their first game, what Bournemouth done in their first game at home, they were both at home and they both got positive results. We know exactly how difficult it is going to be against Nottingham Forest. I think if you always had your choice try not to play against the newly promoted teams right in the opening games of the season, but they are our first away game and for Notts Forest, it is their first home game. It’s a big test.
How does that affect your approach and preparation?
Well I can’t really do anything about it, I was just making the point that you would rather probably face these teams at different times of the season.
What kind of atmosphere are you expecting at the City Ground?
It’s been a great club over many, many years. Nottingham Forest’s support is fantastic. I don’t think there will be any football fan certainly in the UK who wouldn’t know the name Brian Clough and Nottingham Forest. Half of us can probably name the team that they had in the two finals, incredible football history. It was great that we got Leeds United back in the Premier League a couple of years ago, I think it’s also great that Notts Forest are back in the division as well. My job is to try and beat them and that is what I’m concentrating on.
How important is it to keep their home fans quiet in the early exchanges?
I don’t think we are trying to keep the home fans quiet, I quite enjoy it, I think everybody enjoys it. We had a pre-season friendly against Lens in France which was an unbelievable atmosphere, so the players are all used to it now, they enjoy it. We hope it is a noisy ground and we look forward to playing there.
How much do your players thrive from that atmosphere?
I think all players at the highest level always look forward to playing in the big games and the big atmospheres, that is what they are used to it. Our players are very much used to being in a big stadium with 62,000.
How much could it play to your advantage playing against Jesse Lingard because you know him so well?
I don’t think it actually helps you, all we do know is that Jesse is a very good player. The spell he had with us at the club was exceptional, we really enjoyed having him. He played a big part in getting us into Europe, the goals he scored in the second half of the season were great for us. Nine goals from 15 games or something like that was exceptional. That’s why we showed interest. We know a lot about him but that’s about it.
Is a top six finish the aim this season or is it too early to say?
I think we are still piecing ourselves together. I think we will be a lot better once we get everything into place. We are fixing our squad at the moment. The aim is always to finish at the top of the league, if you can, or challenge. For parts of last season, we were actually in the top four. So we want to try and continue to push for that if we can, but we know we are going to have to reach really high standards again to get rhythm back and we are going to have to find our momentum which we have had over the last two and a half years.
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