Disdain for Moyes can’t be healthy

A SECTION of West Ham fans are not having David Moyes. They don’t like his style of play, they think he’s boring and too slow to make changes.

Facts trump sentiment but it’s a difficult one for an owner because you cannot overcome how people feel watching football. Moyes won the club their first trophy for 43 years last season, is still in the Europa League and the club are sixth in the Premier League table, yet some fans are unhappy.

If I was in owner David Sullivan’s position and believed in Moyes, I would be slightly irritated. Fans seemingly want it all and have a sense of entitlement. They want a side who compete at the top of the league and compete in a way that engages and entrances. That is what football has created for itself. If you make it an entertainment business — which is what it is now — you’ve got to give fans what they want.

If you don’t, you’ve got to be prepared to have the courage of your convictions. If you’ve employed Moyes and he is delivering the job you told him to deliver, then you have to back your own eyes and trust your own judgment.

There’s nothing wrong with expectations or wanting to watch good football. It’s a tricky one for owners to balance. It’s the unholy trinity — owners’ expectations combined with the reality of what your players can and can’t do, plus the overwhelming expectation of fans who aren’t happy with just winning, they want to win with a flourish. West Ham fans should perhaps be careful what they wish for. We are in danger sometimes of listening to those who shout loudest in society and think it’s representative of the entire community — from transgender issues to taking the knee. Perhaps we pay too much attention to the vociferous minority these days.

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