David Moyes’ future: The long and short of it

Hard to know what to make of Moyes season

Reaching the Conference League final makes it hard to know what to make of David Moyes’ season.

A win will see him remembered as the manager who delivered a major trophy, and twice took West Ham into Europe during a memorable second spell. Lose and there will be a sour end to a season during which his sacking was repeatedly called for by many West Ham supporters.

Throughout the campaign, Moyes appeared to struggle to release the handbrake on a team where  attacking players were crying out for a little service. Even when he did so, he quickly reverted back to type.

Gianluca Scamacca’s woes – three league goals – epitomised the season-long problem. Moyes has a distinct way of playing that probably works better with a small squad of workmanlike players (that’s not a criticism, just the reality).

The sprinkling of continental flair should have persuaded him to compromise on his tactical principles, but instead West Ham were lethargic offensively and thus killed the buzz of the new arrivals.

If West Ham really want to move forward Moyes’ future may be in trouble but that is hardly likely to be on should he get that European win.