PREVIEW // MOYES ENJOYS RENEWED OPTIMISM AHEAD OF STOKE VISIT

By Warren Holmes

West Ham United return to London Stadium for Monday Night Football as they welcome relegation-threatened Stoke City, and manager David Moyes is looking to get 40 points as quick as possible. 

The Hammers have taken giant steps towards Premier League survival, after picking up three points in their last home game against Southampton, with Joao Mario scoring his first goal at London Stadium and former Potters star Marko Arnautovic scoring a brace. 

Moyes’ men earned a well-deserved draw last weekend against London rivals Chelsea, Cesar Azpilicueta gave the Blues the lead, before Javier Hernandez came off the bench to score the equaliser.

“To get to 40 points is the biggest thing we need to do. I wouldn’t say it would guarantee safety, as there are years when it hasn’t, but in the main 40 points normally keeps you up," said Moyes.

“I’m keeping my target high and I’m hoping to win ten games. At the moment, we’ve won eight games in the Premier League, so if we can win ten, we’d just about get our points tally up there.

“It’s not enough, but our performances and the way the players have been in the last two games have given us a real lift and since we came back from our trip we’ve picked up some really good points.

“It’s a big game against Stoke and a big game for them as well. 

“It’s a similar game to the Southampton game because of what it means to both clubs but, if we can put in a big performance, and the crowd give us the same levels they gave us in that game, then we’ll give ourselves every chance of winning the game.”

Stoke City are four points from safety heading into the game with the Hammers six points clear of the relegation zone, and Paul Lambert’s men will be aiming to avoid a fifth successive defeat, especially at the hands of former Potter, Arnautovic. 

“I don’t really care if Marko is looking forward to it or not. I am just concerned that Marko continues doing the business as he’s been doing, and it wouldn’t matter if it was Stoke or somebody else," added Moyes.

“So long as he keeps doing the business, that’s all we can be interested in and if he can do it against them, great!

“When he is playing like this, Marko is very good and very good to work with and I have to say I hope it continues because he has been really important to the team,” said the Hammers’ manager. 

The Hammers will be without Pedro Obiang (knee), Michail Antonio (thigh), while Winston Reid (knee) and Sam Byram (ankle) will be out for the rest of the season. 

James Collins (thigh) and Aaron Cresswell (knee) also look set to miss out, but Manuel Lanzini (knee) and Andy Carroll (ankle) could make a return to action. 

Stoke will be without Charlie Adam who is serving the final match of his three-game suspension, whilst Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting remains a doubt.