MOYESIE HAMMERS BACK

WEST HAM manager David Moyes answered his critics in style yesterday – having been pilloried for two admittedly poor recent results.

Despite his achievements, those defeats – 5-0 at Fulham and 5-1 at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup – had seen some Irons fans on his back.

Yes, they have been a bit hit-and-miss this season, but they way they dismantled Manchester United 2-0 at the London Stadium was a real return to form – and they are still pushing for a European spot once again.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Moyes is a good manager at the level he has been operating.

And he’s been around long enough to know these days you can’t please all the supporters all the time.

Yes, it appears unfair that he has to look over his shoulder when things don’t go right, but that is today’s football.

Maybe some West Ham fans want a more sexy name in charge – but be careful what you wish for. Look at Aston Villa. Many of their fans weren’t jumping up and down over Unai Emery’s appointment after his 18 months at Arsenal, but he now deserves a mention as one of the top Premier League managers. If I’m handing out plaudits, Sean Dyche also deserves a mention. Everton needed someone to come in and stabilise the club. What has made his team talks easier is the 10-point deduction, making it an us-against-the-world scenario. The real key to their recent resurgence is they look as good as any other back line in the top flight. They have an incredible appetite not to lose games rather than concentrate on winning. Dyche has stuck to his guns and I admire that.