Moyes to West Ham players: Don’t let top 3 chance slip

West Ham boss David Moyes says they cannot let slip their chance to go third this weekend.

With top-four rivals Chelsea and Leicester both in FA Cup action this weekend, the Hammers have to chance to make a statement and go third for the first time in this most remarkable season, and Moyes does not want to let it slip.

“I’ve just said to the staff this morning that you don’t get many opportunities to do this,” Moyes said ahead of their meeting with Newcastle.

“We have to take every opportunity we can to get around the Champions League and be in it. If we can do it we will, but it is a long, long shot for us. I can’t see the bookies making us favourites to be in the top four.

“We’ve got a little bit closer to Leicester, but we know breathing down our necks are Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal.

All teams that could catch us on the points front. We’re well aware of that but I don’t know what else we could do but turn up and play the next game, try and win it.

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“We’ve got seven games to go. I’ve got my targets, the players know what they need to do. We’re not in any way stepping back from it, we’re going harder to make it happen.

I’m not going to load the players with loads of pressure because there is a chance of being in the Champions League.”