Here’s why the Irons have been so poor this season

By Dave Langton

David Moyes may find that his job is hanging by a thread because he is simply unwilling to change his mind.

The Hammers boss has overseen a dire period of form leading into the Qatar-enforced break, leaving the Irons teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.

And the main reason for it is the fact that so many of Moyes’ favourites have simply played too much football.

They aren’t just tired, they’re mentally and physically exhausted.

Since the start of 2020/21 – Moyes’ first full season back in the job – Declan Rice has played in 105 games of football for West Ham. Tomas Soucek has played in 112. Neither numbers count international appearances, and Rice is a key player for England, as Soucek is for the Czech Republic.

Both players are vital to the way the Hammers play but they’re knackered. Jarrod Bowen also has 112 appearances. Both Soucek and Bowen played in all 38 Premier League games in 2020/21. It’s no surprise Bowen’s form is plateauing.

It comes down, ultimately, to Moyes’ failure to correctly improve the squad.

The majority of the signings that have come in have either had too little impact on the first-team,or have not been trusted. Alex Kral was never fancied, despite providing depth, nor it seems is Flynn Downes, who has shown flashes of promise.

The fact is that Moyes trusts maybe 13 or 14 players, and it’s led to them ultimately falling off a cliff.

As it stands, the Hammers need to inject real verve and depth into the squad in January, or Moyes is likely to lose his job.

And let’s hear no rubbish about new players needing time to settle in – he should have been buying for this year next!