David Moyes still troubled by one of his 'darkest nights' in football ahead of Shrewsbury Town tie

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David Moyes has admitted that one of his ‘darkest nights’ as a football manager came in an FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town.

The Scotsman, a former Shrewsbury player himself, takes his West Ham side to New Meadow for a third round clash this weekend, back to the ground where 15 years ago his Everton side were beaten 2-1.

The Toffees where 80 places above their opponents that night, but came unstuck against a side featuring Stephen Jagielka the brother of Everton icon, Phil.

Though a lot of ups and downs have since passed for the Hammers boss, he conceded the loss still troubles him.

“Couldn’t get that question out quick enough, could you?” Moyes said with a smirk when asked about the defeat.

“I played Shrewsbury last season in another cup competition and we beat them at home, but it was certainly one of my darkest nights and when I talk about my disappointments in football, it was when I lost at Shrewsbury with Everton a long, long time ago.

“I had great memories there [as a player]. We went there and there was quite a lot of Scottish boys there at the time, when I first joined we were in the Championship at the time so Shrewsbury were doing okay then, but we just weren’t quite good enough at the time.”

Shrewsbury Town players celebrate after their 2003 win over Everton.
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Another former Shrew in the West Ham camp is on loan goalkeeper Joe Hart. The England international has had to settle for second fiddle in the Premier League of late, with Moyes making the call to recall Adrian to the No.1 spot.

The former Manchester United boss did, though, confirm Hart would be back in at the club where he began his career.

“Yeah, Joe will play Sunday,” Moyes confirmed.

“But Joe will play a lot of Premier League games this season as well we keep saying it.”

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