West Ham United midfielder Flynn Downes ‘won’t be happy’ with his lack of game time at the London Stadium after making the move to east London in the summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

David Moyes has overseen a slow start to the 2022-23 campaign, but still, fresh recruit Downes has found minutes hard to come by with his new side.

What is the latest on Downes?

The 23-year-old made the move to West Ham during the summer, penning a five-year contract after a £12 million deal was struck with Swansea City.

But he has had to settle for just two appearances in all competitions so far, a one-minute cameo against Manchester City and a start against FCSB in the Europa Conference League.

When asked about Downes and his game time, Moyes offered a blunt response, suggesting that he has some improving to do first.

“The things I’ve seen of him, he needs to do better and we’re already [working at that],” he said in August. “But we’ll get him a game when we can. All the players have to earn it and I have to find a way of winning most of the games.”

What has O’Rourke said on the midfielder?

O’Rourke believes that Downes will not be particularly pleased with his lack of game time since making the summer move.

The journalist adds, however, that he should show patience and may well make a spot his own further down the line.

Moyes told GIVEMESPORT: “Downes obviously won't be overly happy that he's not played as many minutes as he probably thinks he should have right now. But I think, like all these new summer signings, it's going to take a while to bed into their new club and win their place in the starting XI.”

Should Downes be starting?

With six games played in the Premier League, West Ham sit inside the relegation zone, with just one win to their name and it is surprising that Downes has not even come off the bench in the top flight since the opening day.

He may only be 23, but he has already racked up over 150 appearances in his professional career, scoring four goals and providing six assists, previously being described as a ‘fantastic’ player.

There were reports towards the end of last season that Tomas Soucek had become unhappy with his role at the club, so it is slightly surprising Downes has struggled for game time so much, particularly in an underperforming side.