Under-pressure West Ham boss David Moyes defends cautious approach as his side fail to score goals

David Moyes says it is ‘tin helmet’ time for his players after admitting he, like West Ham’s fans, has not enjoyed watching his relegation-threatened team struggle to score this season.

Nottingham Forest visit the London Stadium today amid talk that Moyes could be fired if they lose. 

But the 59-year-old manager, who could give striker Danny Ings his first start since signing in January, insists he retains the board’s support.

Moyes said: ‘The players are definitely up for the fight. What we have got to show then is the quality, that we are ambitious, that we want to go and win the game. Sometimes you just put your tin helmet on and show everybody what you can do.’

Moyes has faced accusations from fans for being overly cautious in recent games.

West Ham manager David Moyes has faced criticism from fans for their cautious approach

Danny Ings could be called upon as West Ham seek to address their shortage of goals

Moyes is reportedly at risk of being sacked should West Ham lose to Nottingham Forest

‘It’s probably got some truth in it,’ he said. ‘But I also don’t think you would last this long in management if you were only cautious.

‘Were we cautious last year? We have not changed much. I’m not enjoying watching us not score. I’ve got to find a way to say, “If we’re not going to score, then how are we not going to lose?”

‘If we keep losing then I won’t be a manager, so I have to find a way of getting the balance right.’

West Ham have drawn AEK Larnaca of Cyprus in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League.