MAIN MAN MOYES
THOMAS BLOW SAYS WEST HAM NEED TO BACK BOSS DAVID MO YES THIS TIME AROUND IF THEY ARE TO CHALLENGE THE BIG BOYS ...
IT HASN’T been easy for West Ham fans since David Sullivan and David Gold became joint-chairmen in January 2010. The Hammers have been relegated from the Premier League, promoted, dismissed six managers. None of which was done with an ounce of stability.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. “We have a seven-year plan to get them into the Champions League,” promised Sullivan on taking over.
For years that idea seemed implausible. But with the team now playing well, perhaps they aren’t that far away from joining
The east Londoners’ success will heavily depend on their faith in manager David Moyes, who has enjoyed a successful season at the helm so far.
- higher than seventh for more than two decades.
This is Moyes’ second spell at West Ham, having initially been released in May
When he was appointed the previous November, West
Ham were in the relegation zone. They comfortable 13th.
His replacement, former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, threatened to take them down last season before Moyes saved the day again.
Although he has failed at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland, Premier League Manager of the Month awards and has been named LMA Manager of the Year three times - a record bettered only by Sir Alex Ferguson.
There are still huge doubts over Moyes’ ability to coach at the very highest level following his sacking at United, as well as his seemingly uninspiring demeanour and lack of tactical innovation. looking to break into the top six and beyond. West Ham’s revival is not all down to Moyes, though. Recruitment has
In previous years they have wasted vast sums on the likes of Javier Hernandez, Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson.
But recently they’ve invested in lessTomas Soucek and the superb Jarrod Bowen.
These, alongside incumbent stars Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice, have made a big difference.
A lack of injuries has also helped, particularly to star man Michail Antonio. The 30-year-old’s strength, speed and skill would improve any team in the Premier League – and, right now, he’s at the peak of his powers.
If he can strike up a partnership with loanee Jesse Lingard, West Ham’s win percentage will grow even higher.
As the Hammers continue to pick up results and challenge the status quo, it all seems rosy.
Their prosperity, however, will only remain if they remember the lessons of yesteryear. If they replace Moyes with another big-name manager, another Pellegrini, then their dream of playing in the Bernabeu will fade again. It’s time to back the boss.