Yahoo Finance West Ham boss David Moyes taking Champions League inspiration from Cheltenham ‘outsiders’
Moyes and West Ham are hoping for a “shock”
(Getty Images)David Moyes says West Ham are "big outsiders" for a Champions League finish, but is taking inspiration from the Cheltenham Festival in a bid to upset the odds.
Manchester City are taking the Premier League title at a canter but with Manchester United and Leicester City starting to find the going a little tough, the chasing pack have every chance in the race for the top four.
Midweek victories for Chelsea and Everton saw West Ham fall to sixth, with the two sides facing each other hours before West Ham play Leeds on Monday night. The Hammers also have a game in hand on Thomas Tuchel's Blues.
Moyes said: "I have to say we are big outsiders for the Champions League because there are lots of teams there, but if you watch the racing at Cheltenham, quite often the outsiders do well and come good so I am hoping I am one of those big outsiders and we can shock a few.
"There was a sense of disappointment when we dropped out [of the top four] last night so that gives an idea of how we feel about it. We are tough and we know that when you get an opportunity you need to try and take it but I think if we didn't make it we would not beat ourselves up about it.
"I don't think we are kidding anybody on when we are in a position to be in that place but the resilience, the commitment, the determination the players have shown, nothing would surprise me with them, it really wouldn't.
"But at the start, if you have given me top 10 I would have said 'thank you very much’ - it would be a good season for West Ham and it would show that progress had been made.
"We don't want to lose the fact that making progress is important. The position we are in at the moment is an incredible position to be in and I hope we can stay in it, and we will do everything we can to stay in the role we are in."
Moyes has transformed West Ham's fortunes with impressive recruitment at the heart of their turnaround.
A finish in any of the European places, Moyes feels, would give the club the chance to move new signings to a new level.
The Scot said: "Once you get into the Champions League obviously that generates more money as well which allows you to buy better players and in turn, probably have a better team, but there is always a first for everything.
“We have been breaking a few firsts this year, and I hope that we are able to do everything we can and challenge the top teams."
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