David Moyes insists West Ham players and not him must be the catalyst for change

David Moyes insists West Ham United's players will be responsible for inspiring the club's turnaround in fortunes, and not him, as the Scot prepars to take charge for the first time at Watford this weekend.

The 54-year-old was installed as the replacement for Slaven Bilic last week and is charged with dragging the club away from danger in the Premier League.

West Ham are currently 18<sup>th in the table and could be second from bottom by the time they travel to Vicarage Road. Moyes has issued a rallying call to his new charges, but stresses that the players will dictate his success.

"We've already laid it bare," he told the Evening Standard. "I've said that yes, the club can change manager but somewhere along the line, I hope the players here at West Ham can stand up and say: "We need to do better.

"I've found the players responsive and I do think they are ready and willing to take responsibility. What I would say to the West Ham supporters is that, from what I've seen in my first week or so, the players do care and they are definitely trying to do much better — that's been very evident in the training sessions so far."

Moyes' attempts to instigate a change of fortunes for West Ham has begun with the addition of three new faces to the backroom team as the club attempts to pull the club away from relegation trouble.

Alan Irvine, Billy McKinlay and Stuart Pearce were the major appointments, but the ex-Everton and Manchester United boss wants a fitness coach to join the trio.

"I'm happy that we have our coaching staff in place," the West Ham boss added. "We're still looking for a fitness coach and I hope we can appoint someone in the next few weeks. As it is, we have three assistant coaches, Alan Irvine, Billy McKinlay and Stuart Pearce. I've worked with Alan and Billy before and I know their qualities but I am really happy Stuart is also involved.

"He brings me a lot of experience since he's been a manager himself, he was a West Ham player, he's worked with England, he's good with the younger players but it's his attitude, determination and motivation which I hope will inspire some of our players.

"As for Alan, he's a 'professor' of the game if you like, very diligent, making sure the Under-23 squad are around the place here, ensuring everything is prepared the night before. Billy has a really good understanding of the players and maybe is a little more chirpy of a chirpy character than myself and Alan."