HAMMER TO FALL
Moyes exit feels inevitable
IT FEELS like the beginning of the end for David Moyes as West Ham manager.
And for this dead man walking, there will be no lap of honour before the lights eventually go out for him at the London Stadium.
Three defeats on the spin, no goals scored and no wins in 2024 make for grim reading.
The Hammers have lost their last three matches by an aggregate of 11-0. And despite being one of the most experienced bosses in the business, Moyes is now getting a painful reminder of just how fickle football can be.
Nine months ago he led the Hammers to a European trophy, the club’s first major silverware in more than four decades.
The team currently sit in a respectable eighth place in the Premier League table.
And this season alone, the Hammers have beaten title contenders Arsenal twice, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Forget
“I’m really disappointed with a couple of results,” said Moyes in the wake of the crushing loss at Nottingham Forest.
“But you mustn’t forget the good results. You mustn’t forget the wins, even this season.
“We’re sitting in a strong position — last season we were sitting near the bottom. It was only three years ago that we were Nottingham Forest and fighting relegation.
“We’ve moved on a long way from there.”
But football fans do forget.
And judging by the ‘Moyes Out’ banners on display at the City Ground, all these same people want to remember is the style of play West Ham produce under the Scot.
Win, lose or draw, the Hammers faithful want to be entertained, or at least see some fight and heart in defeat.
Because sport is about getting people off their seats, not making people leave them to go home, like a lot did long before the end of the recent six-goal thrashing by Arsenal.
This lot just aren’t having Moyes. His face will never fit but fans should be careful what they wish for.
Trophy
Sport is also about winning things — and what would followers of the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle and Tottenham give to see their respective team actually get their hands on a trophy?
On current form, Moyes could have few complaints if he was sacked.
Eight games without a win at any club is enough to see the owner or chairman push the panic button, let alone one as thin-skinned as the Hammers.
But like it or not, Moyes has done more than enough to earn the right to see out this season, then leave with some dignity and respect in the summer.
To walk away with his head held high, knowing he has achieved the absolute maximum from the talent at his disposal.
And who knows, he might even do so having got the Hammers into Europe again.
And then what Moyes shouldn’t do is ever go back.
Not even when the Hammers have sacked his replacement because some naive dream of playing fantasy football hasn’t worked — and they need him to save them from relegation again.
Because by the time this happens, hopefully Moyes is working at a place where they appreciate him.