In a post-match assessment, West Ham manager David Moyes showed empathy towards Kalvin Phillips' challenging initiation into the club, suggesting a gradual approach might be necessary for the midfielder.
Phillips, on loan from Manchester City, encountered a turbulent start, committing an early error that led to Bournemouth's opening goal within just three minutes of the game.
Despite the adversity, the Hammers managed to salvage a 1-1 draw, thanks to a penalty expertly converted by James Ward-Prowse. Speaking about the 28-year-old's' performance, Moyes reassured fans, highlighting that the midfielder had nearly 70 minutes of playtime.
He acknowledged the need for patience in integrating Phillips into the team, noting that while the player showed signs of improvement as the game progressed, he initially struggled to adapt to the club's style of play.
The manager's measured response reflects a pragmatic approach to integrating new players into the team, recognizing the importance of nurturing the Englishman's potential within the West Ham setup.
"It's not a goal we concede too often and it gave them a leg up. Then we had to perform and we weren't at a level to do that. It wasn't as good as it should have been."
"Kalvin's fine, he got the best part of 70 minutes in. I said before we might have to go a bit gently with him." the Scottish coach admitted via Manchester Evening News.
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