9 months ago
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It wasn't long ago that David Moyes was set for a new West Ham contract.
Having guided the Hammers to silverware for the first time in 43 years last June, European success masked what was a dreary domestic campaign.
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Nevertheless, a trophy earned Moyes a stay of execution. He had entered the final year of his current London Stadium deal and having been backed in the transfer market, a strong start to the season meant a new two-and-a-half year contract was in the offing.
A cataclysmic downturn in fortunes has put talks of a new deal on ice. West Ham are yet to win a competitive match this year.
They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Bristol City and have picked up just three points across five games.
On Sunday, they were smashed 6-0 at home by Arsenal. The shots of supporters heading home at half time will live long in the memory.
The 2-0 win at Arsenal to see out 2023 seemed to be a turning point for West Ham, and for all the wrong reasons.
Moyes has watched his side score just four goals in 2024, two of which were James Ward-Prowse penalties.
Injury to Michail Antonio may have derailed their campaign, but the Jamaican's absence proved a blessing. Indeed, Moyes was able to field an effective attacking trio of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
However, as is so often the case, bad things came in threes for West Ham.
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Paqueta was forced off early on in the 2-0 win at Arsenal in December, and lasted just 14 minutes on his return to action in the FA Cup home draw with Bristol City last month.
Bowen also pulled up with an ankle knock that saw him miss the replay against the Robins, while Kudus only returned to action at the start of the month owing to his AFCON participation with Ghana.
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It's the absence of Paqueta, though, that is really testing West Ham.
The Hammers created just one goalscoring chance in their 6-0 thumping at the hands of Arsenal on Sunday, that the fewest by a home team in a Premier League match this season.
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While the Brazilian isn't West Ham's creator in chief - James Ward-Prowse ranks top for key passes (48) for the east London side - all 26 chances Paqueta has created have been from open play, that ranking first for Moyes' team.
What's more, no player has made more accurate through balls than Paqueta (10) in England's top tier this term.
It's no wonder the Hammers look lost in the final third without the 26-year-old.
You only have to look at West Ham's record without Paqueta to really gain an insight into his importance to the side.
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A win ratio of 66.7 per cent from the 24 competitive matches he has started this season drops to just 9.1 per cent in the 11 matches he has not.
That's not to say West Ham's poor form is exclusively down to Paqueta's absence but despite his position he works extremely hard off the ball in order to protect his side's goal.
He's won possession in the defensive third more times (64) than any other midfielder or forward in the Premier League this season with the Brazil international not only key when it comes to prying defences apart but providing additional cover for the backline too.
Unsurprisingly, Paqueta has earned a better WhoScored.com rating (7.18) than any other West Ham player in the Premier League this season with his absence having a significant impact on their results.
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It's fair to say the former Lyon man irreplaceable. Fortunately for Moyes and his side, there is a chance Paqueta will be available for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.
After Sunday's dismantling at the hands of Arsenal, supporters will demand an immediate response at an out-of-sorts Forest side.
With Paqueta in the side, their chances of securing a first win of 2024 increase significantly.
