Moyes pre-match: Lanzini is doubtful vs Chelsea

West Ham United manager David Moyes expressed the likelihood of Manuel Lanzini missing his second straight game, as the Hammers look to do the season double against a reeling Chelsea on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

“He’s able to run a straight line at the moment,” Moyes said about his Argentine playmaker in his pre-game press conference on Friday. “I wouldn’t completely rule him out, but at the moment, he is a doubt.”

The Hammers have thankfully given themselves a stressless week following the massive 3-0 win vs Southampton last Saturday. But Moyes and the club know they still have some work to do to ensure safety, with a second victory over Chelsea greatly facilitating in that goal being reached.

“We have to pick up more,” the Scottish tactician said. “It was a really big victory for us. For the team, for the club, it gave everyone a boost. It was an emphatic performance. I’m always basing myself that 40 points is what we need to get too. So you’ve got to keep your mind focus on winning and picking another seven or eight points of the season.”

Asked about the favorite for West Ham Player of the Season Marko Arnautovic and how vital he has been for the club, Moyes certainly concurred with that obvious assessment.

“He’s always had ability and he’s got the ability who watched him a Stoke City, and even before in his career,” Moyes said. “That’s why he’s been at big clubs. He’s helped us and he’s a really important member for the team. Since I’ve been here, he’s been excellent, his goals have made a big difference for us (and) he’s been massive for us.”

“So don’t think for a minute that they try and switch off. They don’t. So we have to hope we can catch them off on an off day. I think we performed well in the game against them. And I think if we can do that again, than I hope we can give them a real good game.”

Moyes also discussed Michail Antonio being lost for the rest of the season following his latest hamstring injury early on vs the Saints.

“He’s a big mess to us because we’re, he’s someone we need because he had great strength and pace, and we’ll miss him.”