DAVID MOYES told Sheffield United fans to forget about Carlos Tevez and salute their own Premier League heroes.
West Ham boss Moyes takes his team to the Blades tonight.
David Moyes has told his players to focus on the present and not the pastCredit: Getty
It will be the Hammers’ first visit to Bramall Lane since the Tevez scandal which has sparked a bitter 14-year feud between the clubs.
The Blades took West Ham to court over their controversial signing of Tevez and Javier Mascherano in August 2006.
And the East London club ended up paying an out-of-court settlement of £20million in compensation to their rivals.
The Irons were also fined £5.5m by the Premier League for breaching rules on third-party ownership.
But they avoided a points deduction after Tevez had helped them avoid relegation at the South Yorkshiremen’s expense.
Carlos Tevez helped West Ham escape relegation all those years ago – at Sheffield United’s expenseCredit: Action Images
The Blades spent 12 years outside the top flight before getting promoted in May.
West Ham fans taunted their opponents by wearing Tevez masks and chanted his name when the clubs drew 1-1 at the London Stadium in October.
And the visitors can expect a hostile reception in tonight’s return.
Moyes, who returned to West Ham last month following Manuel Pellegrini’s sacking, said: “I am sure it does still rankle up there.
“But if I were a Sheffield United supporter I would be looking at this new generation, this new era.
“They’ve got a really good up-and-coming manager in Chris Wilder and some fantastic players.
“We can all look to the past and everybody does. But if I were a Sheffield United supporter I would be looking more to the future and what they are doing now.”
WILDER ‘EARNING HIS STRIPES’
Blades know a win tonight would move them up to fifth, while a West Ham victory would take them five points clear of the drop zone.
Moyes said: “I didn’t see their success coming immediately in the Premier League but I shouldn’t have been surprised because the manager’s done a brilliant job. They’ve all come up from the lower leagues and shown they can handle the top flight.
“I enjoy seeing managers who have to earn their stripes, prove themselves in the lower leagues and then they move up.
“It’s not a fluke and that’s why we shouldn’t be surprised with how well Sheffield United have done.”
Moyes will be without full-back Ryan Fredericks and striker Michail Antonio, who have hamstring issues.
But West Ham have agreed a deal in principle to sign Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes on loan and are hopeful of re-signing keeper Darren Randolph from Middlesbrough for £4m.
Undoubtedly the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano helped the Hammers escape relegationCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Blades chief Wilder is wary of taking on a side rejuvenated by Moyes.
He said: “It has taken just two games for them to show they are a different proposition under David and I wouldn’t bet against them staying up now.
“In England we’re quick to criticise people when it doesn’t go so well and David had a rough time of it at Manchester United.
“But look at his CV and you can see why he’s so respected in the game. His record from Preston to Everton was incredible.
“With David in charge they will win games and climb the table but hopefully they’ll start after coming to our place.”
And Wilder will allow skipper Billy Sharp to make his own decision about whether or not he leaves the club this month.
Several Championship sides have enquired about the availability of the striker who has started only one Prem game this season.
He said: “The decision is with Billy. If he says to me he needs to be playing, I will respect that.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS — SHEFFIELD UNITED: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, Mousset.
WEST HAM: Fabianski, Diop, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Zabaleta, Rice, Noble,Snodgrass, Cresswell, Fornals, Haller.
West Ham fans were quick to poke fun at Sheffield United’s expense earlier this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
