By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
David Moyes has enjoyed, for the most part at least, something of an extended honeymoon period this season, and for obvious reasons.
The team has performed way beyond expectation since the season started, and Moyes has been the driving force behind that!
Those who opposed his re-appointment, demanding a so-called more forward thinking, dynamic and charismatic manager to take over from the big name, but hapless, Manuel Pellegrini, have had to hold their tongues.
However, they got the opportunity to re-launch their anti-Moyes campaign with the events surrounding the recent Brighton and Hove Albion game.
Moyes was heavily criticised – and rightly so – for his team selection and his game plan that night. The anti-brigade jumped in and had a field day.
But the manager has come back in style. He openly admitted his errors against the Seagulls. He got it wrong and he held up his hands and took the flak.
He should be applauded for that! A lot of managers would have looked for excuses, scapegoats to blame for their own shortcomings – a certain gentleman working in north London and another in the Black Country spring to mind.
Moyes made changes to personnel and game plan for the tricky trip to St. Marys to face Southampton – a side enjoying a similarly good season to ours.
The result was a much better all-round team performance from West Ham. More solid at the back, more workman-like and efficient in midfield, more determined throughout.
We thoroughly deserved the point gained – and could so easily have claimed all three in the dying minutes through Said Benrahma. Afterwards it was clear, along with Michail Antonio, David Moyes was back in the game!
In his post-match interview it was obvious how much more confident Moyes now is in himself – and the way he’s managing the team.
It may seem strange to say that about a man who has over 500 Premier League games behind him, but Moyes had often come across like a rabbit in the headlights, a manager frequently looking as if he was having to defend himself and his style.
The proof is now there for all to see, Moyes looks to be at last allowing himself to enjoy life a little more. And why not? Long may it continue into 2021
Hugh, I have never liked Moyes as a manager as he is too negative but as one of those people who did not want Moyes back at the top, I too have accepted that he has done a great job up until the last 3 games, that is a given. However I cannot accept some of the terrible decisions he has made during the last 3 games which has cost us dearly in terms of points and performances. I just hope it has not affected the confidence of the players. Southampton by their standards were terrible last night, we were lucky. Moyes selected a defence that include Fredericks (just cant defend and cant pass a ball), Dawson (a championship defender) and Cresswell (who is terrible in a back 4). An incredible stupid decision by anyone’s standards but we got lucky. I see people saying Dawson man of the match, I just laugh because he will be exposed very shortly. Back to my point, Moyes’s performances in the last 3 games have been awful and we are right to state the obvious so the word moaners is not appropriate, we are just expressing our disappointment at his performance in the last 3 matches. A moaner is someone who is constantly expressing negativity against Moyes. Moyes has done very well but not in the last 3 games. I have also said constantly that Moyes would make a great Director of Football. Moyes owes the fans a big result against Everton after 3 games where his team selections and tactics have cost is at least 3 points and probably 5 points.
Yes and the fact you have never liked Moyes as a manager means we can immediately discount anything you have to say.
Not sure you read my article but I have only stated the obvious what I believe is to be the case and if my opinion is not the same as yours then that should not be a problem for you. This is what forums like this are for people to give different opinions. If you don’t accept other people’s opinions then I suggest you should not be posting on such forums.
Johnham you’ve named 3 defenders as useless yet they kept a clean sheet against an excellent side. This suggests to me that Moyes knows exactly what they are capable of and you don’t.
“A moaner is someone who is constanly expressing negativity against Moyes”
Well I’d say that makes you a moaner.
The key word is constantly and I certainly do not constantly have a go at Moyes, did you not read my post above, lots of positivity in there. The word useless does not appear in the above article. In respect to the 3 defenders I mentioned above, the article states the obvious. I think the majority of West Ham fans opinions would be the same. Fredericks for example has played a lot of games for us, some would argue too many, he has been consistently poor for us, this he has demonstrated by his own performances, nobody else.
Johnham, I notice that after you had your say that I wasn’t allowed to comment again. So I will have to do it here.You severely criticised 3 of the 4 defenders that had just kept a clean sheet. If you go back over your posts over the last few months you have indeed moaned about Moyes incessantly. Just because you’ve sugar coated your latest criticism with a few compliments doesn’t detract that it is still moaning about the manager. You seem to believe you are some football guru who knows better than seasoned professionals. Why aren’t you managing a pro team? Lastly your non stop whining is truly sapping. The constant drip, drip of acid tongued criticism is wearing. I sincerely hope our players and management don’t read your comments
Johnham – you seem to forget Moyes has been trying to balance playing his best players, while trying to preserve their fitness and guard against fatigue injuries. Clearly Dawson and Fredericks are not ‘first choice’ but their inclusion was necessary. And they didn’t let us down. Cresswell has been one of our stand-out players this season. Moyes should be judged on the season so far as – and it’s difficult to see what more he could have done.
Here Here…… It’s this type of critical toxic criticism that makes supporting this club so difficult at times. Anyone would get the impression that we are in a dire situation.
Yes great article Hugh. Moyes has done a great job. Even the Brighton game wasn’t exactly a disaster was it getting a draw away from home against our biggest bogey team, a team we’ve never beaten. Also bearing in mind having to play two games in a two day period away from home, unheard of in normal times, to come away with two draws and not losing really is remarkable. We go again three days later on New Year’s Day so fatigue will be a big factor. We are lucky to have players like Rice and Souchek that are young and have superb fitness levels but it has to be catching up with them by then. Hopefully we can get through this period injury free and Moyes can return to playing what he believes is our best team.
Credit goes to Allen Cummings Terry
Lol, you know the future so well.
If Moyes had gone with your expert (presume you are an ex manager) we would have got 5 more points.
And it’s terrible he rested defenders in this period and played others that are not amazing but coached them well enough to keep a clean sheet against Southampton.
I agree with Brighton tactics seeming too negative, but so does this Article and Moyes.
I’d like to see Benrahma play more but Moyes eases players in and knows what he’s doing. Plus doesn’t overlook those that have been loyal for a long time, which will keep better harmony in the dressing room (which brings better performances as a team).
Bowen was managed perfectly so don’t doubt Moyes knows what he is doing more than us here.
Plus you’re the type to slag off a player who doesn’t hit the ground running, so better Benrahma is eased in
Err if that was addressed at me I didn’t write it and Allen is a big fan. Not sure what you are on aboutas a result
Think he is replying to johnham
Apologies, it was to the opening poster, moaning about Moyes, I’m sick of all the negative fans whinging all the time.
I get it when the board are not spending at all, but we are doing well (for our position financially, as a club) currently, if it can’t be enjoyed now, then when.
I think part of the reason the team is doing better, is less fans whinging and moaning and slagging the players off, for every mistake they make. I hear it every week and it effects some players.
It is all about opinions, so I am out of order, but sometimes the moaning just gets so boring
Was I moaning in the above article !?!?! Not sure I was, I had good things to say about Moyes. Strange post and even stranger your last sentence that I am the type to slag a player who does not hit the ground running. You obviously have not been reading my posts for the last number of years, if you have you would never say that. Disappointing comment,
For me a positive over the Xmas period so far is that our squad has a bit more depth than I thought. We are in a much better position than last January so can consolidate and allow David,Moyes some space to try things out and to develop players ie Benrahma. His record has shown he is successful in this and for anyone in denial is a vastly experienced coach who is also honest about his own mistakes!
Excellent article Allen, and so say all of us!!
Those who moan constantly are a irritating as the Pollyannas.
The team lacks depth and when the games are stacked we can expect some drop in form, yet we saw a solid defensive display yesterday. I thought it the most boring match of the year until I tortured myself by following with ManU versus Wolves. That seemed to be played in slow motion with prolonged periods of inactivity. ManU woke up in final stoppage time to score. The Wolves players probably woke up this morning thinking it was just a nightmare.
I agree with Allen and like most of his posts – I cant offhand remember a post that I didn’t like
I was a Moyes supporter at the end of his first spell (I wanted him and his team to be given a chance and hence did not support the appointment of Pellegrini) and was happy when he came back to clean up the mess a year ago
However I am a bit worried by his treatment of Benrahma – first saying publicly that he needs to learn to keep the ball better (which may be true but why say it in public) and then after last night saying that he should have won the game for us – I was watching a so-called goal rush which was mainly concentrating on Brighton-Arsenal but we were actually at St Mary’s when Benrahma’s chance came – my feeling was that he did well to get off a shot on target despite the close attention of two defenders and the keeper pulled off a good save, so he shouldn’t have been publicly called out for missing the chance to win it for us
I hope that all the conspiracy theories prove false and that Benrahma turns out to be a top player for us – but as I said I found some of Moyes’ comments on him a bit worrying
I criticised Moyes for the selection in the Brighton game & rightly so it was too negative . I was one to say he wasn’t my first choice but hands up he has proved me wrong . He has a team with spirit and team ethics who work hard and don’t give up . There’s a definite improvement long may it last . Benrhama can’t be blamed , he had 2 defenders & little space but managed to create the chance the goalie makes a great save . Couldn’t have done more so we have a real talent on our hands , who needs more game time . Anyway when Antonio is 100% we will be flying again . COYI ⚒
Put it this way, I can forgive almost anything in football, but bore the living daylights out of me and I get fed up. Moyes you make terrible mistakes and the teams you have played recently were both unbelievably poor and the way they have played has bored me to tears.
That is not moaning it is the truth.
23 POINTS from 15 games and Moyes is a bad manager lets get Pellegrini back Keithsickofexcuses shall we play attacking football and get smashed every game. If you understand football really you would know that players do not keep the same levels of form for ever even Declan has not played so well the last two games its called burn out. After all soucek coufal and bowen have been bad signings by the manager he ain’t got a clue like someone else I suggest
Other teams manage to keep relatively settled squads without tinkering. Truth is they are not fit enough. Rotation teams rarely win a lot.
Keith Chelsea Man Utd Man City Spurs have rotated there sides all season for various reasons . We have a squad which for the first time I can remember that allows us to replace players and not weaken the team. I think we need a few more positions to be covered the loss of Arthur has made Moyes to play a slightly different set up and Haller can’t play the role he has been but 23pts from 16 games has been a great start. We won’t win every game and will probably slip up against lesser teams but Liverpool have done that this week