West Ham manager David Moyes is in the process of making a new West Ham way forged in European competition. As we gear up for a Europa League encounter with Freiburg, the Irons are riding a wave of success, boasting an impressive 16-game unbeaten streak in UEFA competitions. It’s a record that puts us in the company of some highly decorated clubs.
Moyes acknowledges the prestige associated with such a record. He appreciates the significance of being mentioned alongside the managerial giants of the past. “Not bad names then, are they?”. The truth of the matter is, that Moyes will have to win again, if he is to be truly associated with the serial winners.
West Ham’s recent European success, reaching the Europa League semi-finals and clinching the Conference League in Prague last season, marks an unprecedented phase in the club’s history. Moyes believes that this newfound success has firmly implanted European football in the club’s DNA. The Hammers are now in their third consecutive year in European competitions. Which is as surprising as it is welcome.
The absence of our fine away support due to a ludicrous UEFA ban does little to dampen the team’s spirits. The players are focused on the task at hand, and mean business ahead of a tricky encounter.
To be fair, on this occasion, it is not the ban that is ludicrous but the idiots who made it necessary.