Mark Lawrenson and Paul Merson both believe that West Ham United will snatch a 1-1 draw when they travel to Watford in the Premier League this weekend.
However, Paul Ince has predicted a 2-1 win for the Hornets in David Moyes’ first match as Hammers boss.
Need Kouyate to stay put regardless of what his agent says – offers presence in the midfield and surely Moyes will want to keep him around #COYI #WHUhttps://t.co/1mHe3LKBJh
— West Ham Blog (@WestHUblog) November 16, 2017
Sunday represents the start of the Scot’s tenure but none of the three former players believe that he will mark it with a desperately needed three points.
In his weekly column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson stated that he is ‘expecting to see a reaction’ from the players following the sacking of Slaven Bilic last week.
The ex-Liverpool defender also suggested that the Irons’ current position down in 18th in the table was not reflective of the quality in the squad as a whole.
Meanwhile, Merson was critical of Moyes’ appointment as manager both in terms of his popularity with supporters and in the length of his contract.
“David Moyes is in a catch 22 because the fans are going to be on his back from day one,” the 49-year-old told Sky Sports.
“I do not think he was a great appointment for the West Ham fans and to the end of the season does not give you much leeway, and where is the club going?
“He will have to go out and have a go at Watford, if they sit back and draw 0-0, the fans will not be happy at all.”
As for Ince, he wrote in The Express that he feels there are ‘a few things to resolve at the club’ before West Ham can start winning football matches again.
The former Manchester United and Inter Milan midfielder, who played for the Hammers at the start of his career, does expect ‘a decent fight’ from the side who gave him his professional debut back in 1986, but backed Watford to come away with the victory.
Following Sunday’s clash, Moyes will then prepare his troops for his first home game in charge against Leicester City next Friday.