One of the worst quotes I’ve ever heard from a West Ham manager was when Big Sam Allardyce remarked, “The West Ham Way, what’s that? Losing?” Whilst not quite as crass as his suggestion on the anniversary of Bobby Moore’s passing that he always considered Moore a Fulham player, it was still a calculated jab intended to insult.
Big Sam knew exactly what he was saying and was purposefully inflammatory. Unfortunately, former Hammers gaffer David Moyes seems to be at it again too, which is quite disappointing.
West Ham have moved on since the former gaffers departure, and only time will tell if parting ways with Moyes was the right decision. Yet, he just can’t seem to let it go.
In his latest criticism, Moyes has taken a swipe at the club’s history whilst patting himself on the back with selective recollections. It’s clear that Moyes is bitter and resentful about his treatment at West Ham, but he seems to forget the considerable support he received. I’ve witnessed numerous occasions where fans chanted his name and sang songs about ‘Super David Moyes’ so for him to suggest fans didn’t support him not an accurate depiction.
Moyes received plenty of adulation from West Ham fans
Moyes also seems to constantly overlook the significant financial, personal, and professional backing he received at West Ham, which surpassed anything he experienced at Everton, Manchester United, or Sunderland. Over his two stints as West Ham manager, Moyes spent nearly £500 million, which helped him secure the only trophy of his career. Therefore, whilst Moyes was good for West Ham, the club was also good for him.
It’s important to remember that the version of David Moyes who arrived at West Ham was already struggling reputationally from his time in Spain and his stint at Sunderland. Unfortunately, the Scotsman seems to view his time at the London Stadium as a one-way transaction, as evidenced from his comments to Simon Jordan: “I’ve been the manager and I couldn’t tell you what the ‘West Ham Way’ is; I don’t think anyone can.”
“Sir Alex was telling me a story about John Lyall and he asked what the West Ham Way was, and nobody seemed to know. I don’t know either. Obviously, they’re referring back to Bobby Moore and that era, but things have moved on greatly.
“I don’t ever seem to remember West Ham ever qualifying for Europe regularly or enjoying the success of the last three years”.
Whilst Moyes does have a point, he’s being selective in his reasoning. For the vast majority of West Ham’s history, European places were not warded to teams in 7th position. So whilst he is correct in his assertion that three years consecutive European competition is to be applauded, it’s far easier now to achieve now.
His comments also don’t take into account the times when England was banned from European competition and when only the top two teams and cup winners qualified for Europe.
Moyes continued, “I think there’s a big thing about style at the moment, but I feel as if I’m having to defend myself. I’m interested in attacking, but I’m also interested in making sure I don’t allow other teams to score goals because that’s part of the game too.”
“We beat Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of December, and the club offered me a 2-year contract, but I was delaying because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay. There was a group that was under-appreciating what I was doing at West Ham!”
It’s ironic that Moyes talks about football ‘moving on greatly’ when he himself seems unable to move on. The West Ham Way is a straightforward concept—innovative at the time, focusing on quick, attacking play with academy players. David Moyes knew this but was either unable or unwilling to implement it. Dismissing our history while feigning ignorance was a cheap move, more in line with Allardyce.
Selective memories? Moyes seems aligned with Allardyce
Regarding Moyes’ comment about ensuring other teams didn’t score goals, it would have been more appropriate if this observation hadn’t followed a season where West Ham conceded a record number of goals.
It’s a shame that my old friend and website founder, Hughie, who was a friend and ghost-writer for Bobby Moore, is no longer with us. He would have had some rebuttals of his own to address Moyes’ remarks.
Did you sit through the whole video? No mention of leaving the squad in a terrible state, the stats that paint a picture from hell or his mass of transfer failures out numbering successes like he was General Custer. Gut wrenching.
And how many millions he lost by selling off / freezing out players who he fell out with.
The list goes on.
I did Andy but that 300 word article was already approaching a 1000 and I had to stop somewhere.
You’re absolutely correct though, I could have carried on.
Good on yer mate. Same but I didn’t want to sound bitter and twisted.
Such a good time to be back in England after so many years away for the excitement of new quality players that will (I hope) be playing attacking football.
Well said Gonzo.
Young Earthy was at last given a league debut at season’s end and we all saw how good the boy will be with a super goal.
Don’t give the waste of oxygen any attention please.
Let’s not forget Moyes did a super job in his two spells . Whether we were right to move on only time will tell. I feel as a club we will never reach our true potential under current owners
Let’s not forget Moyes did a super job in his two spells . Whether we were right to move on only time will tell. I feel as a club we will never reach our true potential under current owners
Moyes did a super job, but conceding 74 (?) goals last season showed he had lost any defensive nous.
⚒️⚒️⚒️
Moyes is a deluded dinosaur and were are all the prem clubs queueing up to sign him the idiot pundits told us
It’s a shame there is no reference or link to the interview.
IMHO David Moyes has a fair point, the legend of the ‘West Ham Way’ has been lost in recent years, (Partly due the huge financial resources available?)
While seasoned veterans of following West Ham recall the success’ under John Lyall and Ron Greenwood, it would be remiss to overlook the abject failures (Relegations, stunning home losses to unheralded minnows of the lower leagues etc.).
And OK, you make a great point about qualifying for European competition now with 7 places up for grabs and the long European exile of the 80’s (Thanks Liverpool!), there is also some serious competition in the Premiership, oodles of ££’s from foreign ownership and global marketing.
So overall, Moyes did a heck of a job and I appreciate it, but the final few months of his reign, brought back memories of old West Ham, losing by big margins to weaker opposition, looking demoralised and clueless…. Sorry David, it was time for you to go, best of luck and all that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrB4TAZQUfg
Spot on piece of writing Gonzo, I agree totally
Cheers Steve mate
Nothing worse than a bitter old has-been.
I supported him and stuck up for him for far too long as I believed he’d get it right. He didn’t. He had every chance and the total support of the dame in particular but he blew it. He was backed to the hilt.
His moaning is the same as Sullivan’s, slagging us fans off on Talksh*te mere hours after we’d won the cup. Miserable old gits. They were made for each other, but again, Moyes blew it.
Sod off Moyes and enjoy the millions you earned here.
Makes me shake my head in amazement that these people (Sullivan especially) just don’t employ someone to do their PR and LISTEN to their advice, instead of falling out unnecessarily with the fan base. It could all be so different.
while you’re here, why don’t you have another go at “porn dwarf” for not opening his walllet over this windrow? you’ve been doing it for weeks, but now we’re signing lots of expensive deals you’ve been nowhere. what does hypocricy taste like?
It always makes me laugh, how sharp and spiky others become when discussing the West Ham way. Like every club doesn’t have a set of core values at the core of their clubs identity. West Ham are just like every club in that respect. If Moyes didn’t know the West Ham way, then it’s a failure on him for not buying into the club’s values. As it goes, West Ham’s identity has always been one of passion, family and tradition (hence why the London Stadium move was an initial struggle.) I don’t get why that’s so hard to understand for some!
Agreed, Jordan. The rest of us would prepare for any job interview by researching the core values of the new employer.
It Appears the Scotosaurus, like BFS before him, felt their employer’s heritage was something to deride.
Moyes is a deluded narsosistic dinosaur, let him fade away to the Curbishleyesqe managers graveyard
He is looking for a job (without any luck) thats why he has crawled out from under his rock and trying to get some attention.
His a sad deluded ******.
If reaching 6th is easy how comes under Lyall and Greenwood playing the ‘West Ham way’ we achieved the following?: Here are some of the league position results under our Lyall and Greenwood era:
16th, 12th, 14th, 12th, 16th, 12th, 17th, 20th, 14th, 18th, 13th, 18th, 17th, 20th (relegated), 16th, 15th, 16th , 19th (relegated).
Relegated twice in those years. The only other years we finished in the top 6 was 85/86 when we finished 3rd under Lyall and in 1998 when we finished 5th Under Harry Redknapp. and in 1972/73 when we finished 6th under Ron Greenwood
If anything it is harder now to either win a trophy or finish in the top 6. Money has changed the game and those with the most money normally soak up the trophies.
This continual baiting of Moyes in this way is pathetic and frankly embarrassing . I feel he has every right to criticise those fans who turned on him after what he achieved especially considering we were a basket case club when he came in. He has left us in a stronger position (three top ten finished in the last 4 seasons and three Euro campaigns), let’s hope the new manager doesn’t screw it up.
My mate who is a Newcastle fan and I have taken him to watch games at London Stadium and he shakes his head at the criticism and cites Newcastle have not won a single trophy in 46 years.
The West Ham way I would suggest means finishing in the lower regions, flirting with relegation or being relegated.
Fan of 58 years BTW!
I’ve noticed no mention of our cup wins in 64 65 75 80 . Yet you remember the relegation battles .
All your comments are factual and true but the teams that Ron Greenwood and John Lyall managed had their struggles while doing their best to entertain. The other key point raised often but not in context with this subject so often is that these days the cost of going to a game is immense. Style of play which is mentioned in the interview matters greatly nowadays but clever people like Simon Jordan and David Moyes don’t seem to understand why. Maybe they earn too much.
West Ham supporter for 55 years. I suspect you’re older than me.
Old dogs bark in the night?
Other than factual rebuttal or difference of opinions, WHU shouldn’t give a toss what he thinks. Couldn’t figure out the West Ham way? That’s quite obvious but the latter stages of the “David Moyes Way” is what got him the door
The West Ham way is most certainly not the way you played Me Moyes……but we no you all did it so you are still in the public eye somewhat and hoping some mug enough club will give you another chance…..you are going the same way as Curbs/BFS so shut up be grateful some mugs want to talk to you albeit from that dross of a station Talks**t*
Miserable sweaty sock , he wasted lots of money and killed off decent players by putting them In the wrong position. Left us with half a squad, a shot defence and out of European contention. Glad he’s gone. COYI.
Spot on Billboy .
I think Moyes has shown his real side. The guy was given a job and did get a European trophy. But as most people have pointed out you had to be top of the league or cup winner to get there previously. The 1986 team would have got in the champions league today, but no mention of that. Many of his signings didn’t make it for various reasons either they weren’t good enough, didn’t fit Moyes style of play or fell out with the gaffer. I was giving him the benefit of doubt when we won our trophy but played poorly in the league and only just avoided relegation. I remember walking out just after half time against Arsenal, which I have never done in supporting our team for 70 years, and swearing I wouldn’t wear my no 6 shirt again until Moyes went. I’m happy to say I can wear it again as a long term season ticket holder in the Billy Bonds stand.
Moyes had his time and the football moves on. As we know he has a small pool of pundits who defend him and give him a platform to be selective about his reign at West Ham. Easy for him in that environment, to have little digs about West Ham and moan about not being appreciated – but in reality – he won’t get a better job than West Ham.
The west Ham way is not hard to understand. It has nothing to do with league positions, cup wins or even relegation. its about using our youth players after bringing them on playing exiting attacking football. A true West Ham fan would rather lose 3-2 than 1-0.
I think the only player Moyse ever used consistently was Wayne Rooney, and he couldn’t wait to get out of the door.
‘A true West Ham fan …’ So right. Bobby Moore once we grew up watching flowing, attractive football. Having won the Cup Winners Cup Ron Greenwood said: ‘It was the way we played.’ The West Ham way.
Crooked Allydice and that sock Moyes are not part of the West Ham way.
Youth player that is.
Forget Europe because I do think ‘The Moyes Way’ did work well in that respect, but overall, his style of football in the league was dull, boring and totally uninspiring especially with the attacking and forward thinking players he had at his disposal.
Allardyce has always been an antagonist and knows it but his style of football wasn’t as bad as Moyes and he could mix it up, something that Moyes appeared to refuse to do.
Grateful that he gave us an achievement and thankful that he got Bowen in but ultimately, disliked him and he and pundits seem to overplay his achievements in football, which really have only come at one club.
Probably won’t anything else again for god knows how long but at least we don’t have to suffer his pathetic post game comments blaming everyone and anybody except him.
Good riddance.
“I’m having to defend myself. I’m interested in attacking, but I’m also interested in making sure I don’t allow other teams to score goals because that’s part of the game too.”
You couldn’t make it up could you?The guy is deluded.
New Manager,new team .The main thing surely is to get behind them and Cheer this GREAT CLUB. The past is remembered and nobody will forget our great wins in cups, with great players .
We all think we know best but the results will be vastly improved by staying solidly supportive of the team on the pitch.
⚒️COME ON YOU IRONS⚒️
Was ‘The red bull model ‘ mentioned ?
Hurst, Moore, Brooking , Robson, Devonshire, Payet, Di Canio, so many more I could mention the list is endless, although we won a cup under Moyes the football was primarily uninspiring and as for Sad Allerdyse there wasn’t much to write home about, they are without doubt a product of their time defensive minded people who only positive when they are talking about themselves, unfortunately they are best forgotten.
He may have landed a minor European cup for us which was above our expectations and thankfully received. However his negative style of football in the league was neither profitable or entertaining. When he talks of West Ham having to move on perhaps he’s talking about himself. As for Sam Allerdyce throwing out critisims at least we don’t take backhanders. Crawl back into your hole.
it was clear his tactics had been “found out” and we won hardly any games after that arsenal result. He really struggled to find a plan B when low block counter didn’t work. Ironically though, when we had to attack in a few games, it did work and we looked better, but he’d then revert to Moyesball next game
Also left us with a thin ageing squad which Tim and JLo desperately trying to remedy
Yes many thanks for winning the trophy and stabilising the club, but it was time to move on
“ but I’m also interested in making sure I don’t allow other teams to score goals because that’s part of the game too.”
How many goals did we ship last season ? 74.
Moyes did a good job but it was time to move on. We didn.t play well but we won the Conference league. The truth is that we played awful football most of the time under Moyes
That defeat at Crystal Palace was the last straw. We were dreadful. Moyes had to go after that display. It was embarrassing. CoYI.
If ever one football manager benefited from the Covid years David Moyes did. Playing in a soulless empty bowl, (where the fans were so far away they had no influence), meant we had a massive psychological hold over other teams, who were still adjusting to the strange environment. It also showed we were less intimidated in away games and the home team had no advantage. As soon as the Covid restrictions ended, not surprisingly so did our form in the league. We were never the same after. As for Europe, David Moyes’ defensive tactics were perfect. We were a team designed for European football but never the league. The point made is, without Covid, David Moyes would not have qualified us for Europe and would have been kicked ignominously out the door in a season and a half.
The West Ham way is basically the style of play played by Ron Greenwood. Moyes probably wasn’t around then or he was in Scotland so how would he know that anyway.
I always thought the West Ham Way was: unpredictable, inconsistent, always giving it a go, with homegrown youngsters if possible but with “characters” if not. From the 60s to the 80s winning something was a bonus, not a necessity. It acknowledged that there could be only one winner and 21 “losers” in the league. The Premier League has, of course, made all this redundant.
Moyes wouldn’t recognise the West Ham Way it involved pass and move, fluidity and attacking flair, likewise Allardyce. In their defence though they both did a great job of stabilising the clubs when it was a mess and will be eternally grateful for that, Moyes managed us to European success, ironically could have possibly done that a season earlier when we had an easier run and should have won the Europa League.
Moyes couldn’t attract the players Lopetegui is because these guys want to play one and two touch football not dinosaur defending with a low block. Lopetegui himself is known as a defensive coach but at least his players pass the ball and keep possession he now needs to find a way to do that with more cutting edge than his teams of the past. Am curious to see how we go, am not bothered by preseason he is running the players into the ground to get them fit so we might be useless for the early part of this season and as the players learn and adapt the new style. If we finish challenging for European places will consider it a good first season.
I think once moyses was told he wernt getting a new contract he said under his breath “you watch how I **** this club up” and oh boy thats exactly what he did…so I’m so happy Marge Simpson has left the club for the last time..how come he’s not in management now if he was that good….he’s not because he was s*
The West Ham way is simple. All the true supporters asked for was that every player gave a 100% every game, win, lose or draw. Total entertainment to put it simply.