How Moyes can stick two fingers up at his critics

David Moyes has the perfect opportunity to answer his critics [myself included] with the nature of his team instructions tomorrow night.

It will be incredibly difficult to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Leverkusen at The London Stadium. However, Moyes has a history of producing results when his back is against the wall. I have lost count of the number of times Moyes has won ‘must-win’ games when his job has been on the line.

Granted, the challenge he faces against Xabi Alonso’s men in the Europa League second leg is greater than most games. But Moyes has a tendency to come out fighting on such occasions, and I wonder if he might actually go for Leverkusen’s jugular tomorrow night.

Moyes will want to prove his pedigree against Leverkusen and prove his critics wrong

While Moyes has said little regarding his future over the last few days, his mood can be judged by the way his friends in the media have ridiculed Hammers supporters. Whether it’s Alan Shearer, Alan Brazil, Jeff Stelling, Sam Allardyce, or Stuart Pearce, the message is clear… Moyes deserves better than West Ham.

Pearce himself claimed to know Moyes’ contractual situation and mindset, so clearly, he’s in contact with the Hammers manager. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that his mocking tone towards West Ham’s trophy cabinet and history is shared by the manager.

Moyes can answer his critics

So, Moyes has the chance to come out fighting and prove he has what it takes by attacking Leverkusen. I believe the public display of training in front of the Sky Sports cameras was a contrived decision to publicly demonstrate that his team will be going for it.

I would not be at all surprised to see a team with a front three of Antonio, Kudus, and Bowen pressing Leverkusen from the beginning and attacking early. And despite my cynicism of Moyes and his media henchmen, I’m a West Ham fan and I hope he proves that he can come back from the brink.