The case for Moyes

By CandH blogger Alan Cummings

I was as surprised as a great many others, so it seems, when Hugh revealed that David Moyes had moved to the top of the list of possible replacements for Manuel Pellegrini, should the Chilean depart.

Of course some were quick to hit the keyboards demanding we should be looking elsewhere at the likes of Rafa Benitez, Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe, All very creditable alternatives – but all currently gainfully employed – and therein lies the problem.

With the exception of possibly Benitez, the other two are under pretty rock-solid contracts, and obviously highly regarded by their clubs.

First persuading them to leave their safe houses and move to our house, wont be as easy as some seem to think. And even if the targets were interested, their present clubs are likely, understandably so, to be very reluctant to release them without a fight.

Could we afford to let our current situation drag on very much longer? Isn’t the call for Pellegrini to go – and to go NOW?

I’d agree simple availability isn’t necessarily the best reason for making an appointment. But I’d argue that’s being disrespectful to Moyes – and ungracious for the job he did for us.

If we cast our minds back to November 2017 when he took over from Slaven Bilic, we were already in the relegation zone – even worse off than we are today. When he left in May 2018 we had achieved mid-table security, avoiding the big drop by nine clear points.

Clearly he must have done something right during that time. Post Bilic we were crying out for improved fitness, better organisation, stronger discipline, a more steely approach and a visible desire to play for the team. Sound familiar?

Moyes brought all of those things to the London Stadium during his tenure. He saved our season – and some might argue saved our club from a relegation that could have proved catastrophic in the grand scheme of things.

That’s before we start thinking about him turning Arnautvic into a central striker and Masuaku an out and out left winger.

I accept David Moyes isn’t everyone’s idea of a West Ham manager. But we thought Bilic was the perfect fit – it turned out he wasn’t! Then we purred over the prospect of Pellegrini recreating football played the West Ham Way. That’s proved another mis-placed vision.

I believe should we be able to tempt David Moyes back he would do the necessary job for us – a second time!

That’s if Everton don’t tempt him first.