So we are still dreaming and with the lack lustre Spuds on their way on Sunday we have every right to carry on believing.
Yes, of course there will be those who feel what we are seeing is all too good to believe but if we go back to the very start of the manager’s second coming we can see that the success story started almost immediately.
And that should give us confidence to believe that we can expect more of the same over the remainder of the season.
Ok, I’m as aware as everybody else of fortune having been in hiding for too long but let’s just look at the Moyes reign from the and start and tick off some boxes.
Jarrod Bowen for just over £20 million was the first signing and has shown himself to be the most adaptable of players producing a fine performance up front last night.
Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have been extraordinary and Declan Rice quite amazing – these four have cost the club just under £50 million.
After a dodgy start the results speak for themselves and now we see two unlikely loanees in the minds of many – Craig Dawson and the mesmerising Jesse Lingard – bringing a whole new concept to the way West Ham play their football.
Rio Ferdinand explained last night that Moyes’ extraordinary job at West Ham is matched only by his memory, recalling that Jesse was the best player on tour when he had been manger at United and Rio a first team member.
Last night and at Villa the 28 year old showed he is finding a new home at the London Stadium and is a must buy player in the summer.
We all need to now keep our gobs zipped when discussing Moyes and perhaps, given the brilliant buys bought so cheaply, forget for now, expressions such as “investment ambition” and “net spend.”
Spending fortunes under managers who don’t get the right players is part of our past – the new way is trusting a manager who gets precisely the right guys at proper prices.
Let’s enjoy it and stop using the so called lack of investment as a reason for a moan-up.
Frankly, I’m loving what’s happening – what’s not to like?
From where we were to where we are is miraculous and goes against all the so called wisdom – football can still surprise!
Top post Hugh, love it! DM has shown us what a top manager looks like, and he was definitely a top signing! Modern football is fast and mobile, and top strikers are like Vardy and Ings. Top teams, league winners, can mix it up. We are getting there – unpredictable, a joy to watch. Mobile and tricky. Must sign in summer? Dawson and Lingard for a start!!! Coyi – top!!
Yes like most fans I’m happy with 3 points but why play that line up against bottom of league club then leave our best player on bench benrarma I don’t understand so let’s see where we are after the next five games but the way I’ve been going there since 1957 so you could say I’ve seen it all ⚒
Not sure we should stop mentioning a lack of investment, it’s clear that Moyes and the team are doing a great job but we are wafer thin at left back, Johnson is covering but he is a right back and that shows, in central midfield if Soucek or Rice get injured or suspended, up top we only have u23’s strikers. I hope and wish it doesn’t bite us, also agree with Moyes that we shouldn’t waste money so not disputing the strategy but we do need investment to play in Europe we probably need another 5 or 6 players at least and need to tie down some others, Balbuena and Fabianski plus improved contracts for Dec and Soucek with buyout clauses etc
I was talking about spending fortiunes 32 – not that we shouldn’t invest – just at the right prices
I am keen to see what David and team can find in the summer, all signings so far have been under the radar of other clubs. It makes it all the more satisfying both in terms of outcomes and not paying silly money for players who do not deliver the goods. The unsung players usually have something to prove and its great they can do it with us!
I watched this this morning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MnBGpFeYlI
It’s Ravel Morrison talking very candidly about his career and his feelings for West Ham, amongst others; i don’t know why but there is something about Ravel Morrison that intrigues me…
I urge any West Ham fan to watch it. He talks of West Ham as his favourite club that he played for and that if it wasn’t for BFS Allardici, he would have stayed at West Ham for the rest of his career. I was thinking to myself that all this guy needs is to feel wanted at a club that suits his standard and maybe Moyes is the guy to give him that. Imagine selling Lanzini for £10 – 15m and getting him back for free.
I can see now what people’s opinions will be but until they hear from the player himself I’m sure they’ll be wrong.
Great post, Hugh. I thought Moyes’ tactics last night were perfect and although McGoldrick had 2 incredible chances to score, the wing back system was exactly the right system. Obviously i know bugger all and I’m sure Moyes isn’t looking for my concurring with him on his tactical acumen, but he’s getting it whether he likes it or not!!
Bring on the Spuds
@Saul. I agree. I thought Ravel was an amazing talent, just emotionally immature and a little lost. He made some inopportune comments on social media (Greenwood has done the same) and was unwilling to be taken advantage of by BFS.
Free transfer, why not. Dump Lanzini, not so fast, let’s see how the season plays out.
I think he has matured though now Gary, after watching the above video. Allardyce ruined his career as far as i’m concerned. As for Lanzini, he has stopped offering what he used to. He seems too lightweight for the Premier League these days, fearful of going in hard, likely due to his injury. His job is to score and create goals and he hasn’t done anywhere near enough of those things for me this season. Too much of a passenger now.
There are few teams who could have two of their best CBs injured and field talent like we did yesterday. Coventry was on the bench and having watched him in Championship might well surprise given a chance.
WBA will be relegated as even BFS can’t save them. I do not know the quality of our academy keepers but Johnston is capable and might be available. In midfield, Okay Yokuslu is hard working, mean and effective. If he were available would certainly be of value.
Need to keep quality as we prepare for Europe in 2022.
We’ve missed the boat regarding bringing in a striker in the January window – or maybe we were never going to get on board with a striker. We’ll never know why. And it’s no longer important; we have to work with what we’ve got. The loss of Mikey and Yarmo has shown Moyes at his best. With the addition of loanee Jesse Lingard he has fashioned a dynamic strike force. Watch this space…
Loving things under Moyes. Like the way he rests key players in certain games and gets the best out of players coming off the bench. Was surprised he didn’t play benrahma in the last game but then he came off the bench to make a difference and is ready to be unleashed against the spuds on Sunday well rested and ready to make a difference. Maybe Moyes will use a well rested Fornals against the spuds too. It’s great that with the addition of lingard and if Antonio is back we have plenty of options.
I agree that Ravel Morrison would be a good free transfer. I didn’t think DM should have been dumped in the first place. I’m 31 and I remember as a boy when we played Everton it was a guaranteed result. That Everton compared to the Everton now were basic. He gets the best from the likes of Dawson or Antonio. He thrives on grafters. I know he’s had failures. But we all have had jobs where it’s not suited us. West ham and Everton are so similar. Have been for decades. We’re a perfect match for Moyes. He sets his defence and works up. For me personally as far as keepers go I would have Rodak from Fulham. I’ve been a hammer too many years to get carried away… I don’t like the lack of striking options or the lack of media recognition when all the pundits are raving about Leeds and Aston villa and ****ing derby county. But I’m liking the football I’m seeing… I’m liking the fact we can play **** and still win matches comfortably. There are so many games this season we’ve won that in other seasons we’d have lost. There’s fight in that squad… They want to play for west ham. This is what happens when you build a squad around Declan Rice. Think about it… Bowen is speed and graft. (My fiancée crushes on him) Soucek got brought in to partner Rice. What a signing he was. People compare soucek to fellaini… But I feel he’s got more Scotty Parker in him (fantastic to see him managing). We need investment… I agree with the 5 or 6 needed. I think Tammy Abraham would be perfect in that squad.