By Hughie Southon
Well, what a night that was!
And on top of a brilliant result and Premier League safety there were other hugely important issues settled over the best 90 minutes of a horrible season.
First though a huge vote of congratulations to Nobes on reading an amazing 500 games and apologies for ever doubting Moysie who has now saved us twice from relegations with other managers teams.
Johnson may get his chance
That may be one for the Guinness Book of Records!
However, the major issue for me on a night when for 45 minutes we were at our best offensively and close to it defensively was the certainty that both Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek will be with us next season.
The situation surrounding the loanee Soucek was that he remained at the club permanently if we achieved safety – that’s done, he stays and we will help make West Ham into a very different team next season.
Bowen meanwhile has been brilliant but there has been a nagging worry that should we be relegated there is some clause in his deal which would allow him to leave…that’s never been confirmed but it no longer matters. He stays too.
They were the big ones for me and in reality they were huge because those two have been key to everything that has happened as we battled for survival.
Soucek is nothing less than world class.
On top of that came another massive boost for the club – Ben Johnson – playing because of yet another injury to Ryan Feredericks.
As those in the know have said for months he’s a top top prospect and has to be in the team to gain more valuable experience. He was absolutely outstanding on a night of ecstasy and of huge relief.
COME ON YOU IRONS
A great watch and it all seemed to come together – well done the manager and players, proud of them and relieved! Totally great prospect of keeping the players and surely DM must be backed. The only niggle for me was the commentators speculating about Declan – show some respect please. Fabulous IRONS.
It was a huge & memorable night for us Fans . There was no hiding behind the sofa for this one . The Team performance was top class even when a desperate Watford went into full gallop in an effort to salvage something from the game . Moyes has done an outstanding job because the West Ham of old were very capable of throwing it away .
We should all applaud Mark Noble on a wonderful achievement and he deserves his place in the Hall of Records . We can rest easier today with the knowledge that we are virtually safe from relegation , but a few more points would be lovely . In the end we didn’t rely on other teams failing but instead made our own fortune . Hopefully we can keep this team together and with a few additions improve next season . It is Vital to keep hold of Declan Rice and West Ham need to urgently secure his future at the club . It would be bordering on criminal to let yet another great talent go .
COYHAMMERS
I’m actually genuinely excited to see what Moyes can do with us when he gets to build his own squad not inherit someone else’s. Just to see a team week in week out that won’t just roll over. With Johnson, Coventry, Diangana, Silva and holland if he can make the step up they will save us a lot of money in transfers and will allow us to spend wisely in the positions that really need it. I think we all have to get behind him. He has now saved us twice although this time isn’t mathematically done yet. COYI!!!
With you 100%! Bring up the academy players, buy only if necessary. My TV blushes at the crude things I yell at Moyes during a match. Yet he has delivered.
Thank God I don’t manage the team.
Along with Antonio’s form without doubt the biggest impact has been the addition of Soucek and Bowen.Their industry and non stop performances have been outstanding and have saved us this season.
Johnson wasn’t outstanding at all, in fact he did little right in the first half, but a better second half, let’s tell the truth and not get the euphoria of a great win get the better of us
He didn’t have a great first half, yelled at by Noble and Cresswell for poor passing. He was quietly solid in the second half, defensively sound, helping Ogbonna and clearing the 18 yard box as needed.
At last a no nonsense approach from every single player out there on the pitch. A more gritty team ever sińce Moyes took the team over. At last!!!
Both January buys have been excellent and a fast improvement on his choices in January 2018.
We fully deserved the margin which was exactly the same as earlier this season under MP.
Under both managers we have won 5 PL games against the same 4 teams, the difference being the rout of an injury ravaged Bournemouth against the home win against Manure under MP.
Soucek and Bowen have been fantastic in their work rate and application and the beauty is they should only get better with time. I like Fornals a lot too though feel for him being shunted to the left.
Terry Westley has always said Johnson is a future star and he should know so glad he got minutes. He too will only get better.
Congrats to Noble, a top guy and a great leader, hopefully inspiring some of the youngsters coming through.
Onwards and upwards
Great night ..I hope we take this kind of work rate and desire in to nxt season..to many times we do well then slip back again…David moyes might not be everyone’s cuppa but at this time I think he is perfect..we need stability and concentrate on basic things like working and keeping the ball ,,and having confidence in urself..he is good for that …we got some good players when they decide to turn up …..hats of to noble ,top top bloke …he might not play well and do annoying things sometimes, but he helps on and off the pitch..he deserves massive credit..I’ve slagged him before but I’m happy to hold my hands up..the bloke loves the club and he gives everything… great night ..now let’s be a bit more consistent…coyi
Job done! Premier league club for another season. We are delaying the inevitable though; if serious changes aren’t made, and soon, we will get relegated eventually.
Time to start that RB Liepzig model Moysey. Kick out:
Yarnalenko
Anderson
Wilshere
Balbuena
Frederick’s
Cresswell
Masuaku
Lanzini
Ajeti
Sanchez (already gone)
Zaba (already gone)
That would be 11 gone. We would need 3 new fullbacks, 2 cbs, 1 CM, 1 ST. Watkins, Robinson and Eze would all be good signings with the potential to develop. Wague or Montiel at RB. Need a striker to support Antonio and Haller. Big clear out and reshuffle required. Hold onto Antonio , Rice, Soucek, Diop, Ogbonna , Bowen – everyone else if the money is right then they can go! CoYI
Been waiting for an opinion like this. Agree with most of your outs but would be tempted to keep Cresswell for now as a back up. I personally would want to go more British and would like Aarons, Lewis, Cantwell all from Norwich. Webster from Brighton. Mings from Villa. Then to be really greedy and now wishful thinking Barkley and Ings. Would also be happy to have Abraham. (Awaiting the slating for that. But all have our own opinions.) Would also be happy to let Haller go and Ogbonna. Know i’ll get slated for that but he just pulls and pushes a bit too much for my liking. Bit surprised he hasn’t been penalised for it more.
I think one of the aspects that has struck me is that Moyes appears to have fostered a good team spirit in the squad since he came back in. I understand the suggestions for a clear out of much of the squad but the effect on team spirit has to be factored in. I understand why most of the names have been mentioned but not Balbuena as he had a great season last year and hasn’t featured much this term due to the excellent form of Ogbonna. The team spirit was evident on the pitch on Friday and also in the interview with Robert Snodgrass on the official club site. Snodgrass focuses on the effect Mark Noble has on the squad. Congrats to Mark for his 500 matches and also for his hard work in helping glue the squad together so we can continue to enjoy Prem football next season. COYI.