Moyes claims Scamacca's 'physical data' is not at the level required

West Ham boss David Moyes claims Gianluca Scamacca’s ‘physical data’ is not at the level required after the Italian striker was left on the bench for a fourth game running in 1-1 draw with Aston Villa

• Gianluca Scamacca has been unused substitute in last last four League games
• Danny Ings started in draw with Villa before getting replaced by Maxwel Cornet
• David Moyes says Scamacca has application but needs to improve on his output

David Moyes’ refusal to use Gianluca Scamacca is puzzling West Ham supporters, but the manager says the £35.5million striker’s ‘physical data’ is falling short of his standards.

Scamacca has been an unused substitute in West Ham’s last four Premier League games. He was seen kitted up on the sideline during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the London Stadium but when Danny Ings was removed in the 86th minute, Moyes brought on Maxwel Cornet instead.

When asked why he is snubbing Scamacca, Moyes said his best team does not include the 24-year-old Italian right now. ‘We know that his physical data has got to be much better than it is,’ Moyes said.

‘The thought was Maxi Cornet could get in behind them. We saw Maxi doing that more than Gianluca. Gianluca has got to get himself back.

‘No manager wants to put out a bad team. You want to put out the players who you think are going to win for you, so you are always looking to put your best team out.’

David Moyes’ refusal to use Gianluca Scamacca is puzzling West Ham supporters

The Italian striker has been an unused substitute in the last last four Premier League games

Danny Ings was picked to start against Villa before being replaced by Maxwel Cornet (above)

Asked if it is a lack of effort, Moyes said: ‘I think his application is there. We just want the output to be bigger and more. That’s one of things we are looking for more. The general part of his play, his hold-up play, we like him for it. We’ve not seen it as much in the work we’ve been doing.’

Meanwhile, Moyes felt West Ham’s players deserved praise yesterday. Instead they were booed at full time, despite lifting themselves out of the Premier League’s bottom three.

‘I thought the performance merited really good support,’ Moyes said. ‘The players came back on Thursday night, long flight back from Cyprus, and performed well. I didn’t think we deserved to go a goal down. But the players showed character, stuck at it, everyone ran and was committed throughout the game. They deserve praise for what they’ve done.’

Villa boss Unai Emery said the penalty awarded to West Ham, scored by Said Benrahma, was harsh. ‘I respect the referees, 100 per cent,’ Emery said. ‘But my opinion is it was very soft.

‘The result is positive. We are keeping the distance with West Ham.’

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