Moaners will always moan regardless of what’s taking place in our club. It’s what they do!
Even maybe until around a month ago I was reading that David Moyes was a dinosaur manager who knew nothing other than how to defend; he was boring, a spent force and all the rest of it.
To be fair I had my own reservations.
But credit where it’s due time now! First, he showed the balls to come back to the club after being allowed to leave for a guy who turned out to be as inept as it gets.
It was a decision that the Wet Ham board has lived to regret in the biggest possible way after – in their terms – spending money like water, thus creating a huge debt which has since been exacerbated by covid-19.
How bad was their mistake? Make your own minds up. I personally remember being told by one insider: “We are going back to the West Ham way – it’s gonna be great!” YEAH SURE!
At the same time another source – a top agent – revealed to me that in fact, Pellegrini hadn’t bought a single player when at Manchester City – a job left to football administrator Brian Marwood. Hmmm.
So now to the point. Despite all the Moyes criticism and the view that he’s simply a defensive coach, who left his future behind at Manchester United, we are seeing some extraordinary attacking football being played at our club where the last seven games we have seen 20 goals scored.
After lockdown and this season I have been watching enthralled at the change that has overcome a bunch of players who were performing as random individuals rather than a team before the Moyes effect kicked in.
My pal and great Hammers blogger Allen Cummings were chatting on the phone earlier and we both go back a very long way with this club but agreed the football we are now watching was as good as anything we can remember.
Ok, it might all change – we are too long in our Hammers teeth to believe we are on our way but everything I’m seeing right now suggests the squad, given their spirit, have found a manager they believe in and respond too.
Let the moaners moan – the rest of us should be enjoying some very special attacking football, the like of which we haven’t seen for many years.
And Moysie is leaving a few myths in his wake as we show the first signs of becoming a proper Premier League football team!
I have to say that since Moyes has been manager I’ve seen the most entertaining football, the best attacking, goal scoring etc since the boys of 86.
Good piece, Hugh. I’ve always been a supporter of David Moyes. Putting my tin hat on as I write. And don’t forget – he’s a winner … it’s what he does.
What is wrong with defence?
“Offence sells tickets, but defence wins championships”
Our attacking is based on the knowledge we can defend.
Moyes is perfect for our club.
I was one who wanted Moyes to stay on the first time instead of Pellegrini – and now feel justified
We all like to see attacking football – except when we are on the receiving end – and even in Pellegrini’s first season it was embarrassing to see sides like AFC Wimbledon, Cardiff and Huddersfield dancing through our defence like we were cones on the training ground.
If a coach who sets a solid base is a dinosaur then I am in favour (look what Guardiola did against Arsenal last weekend). That is what gives the team the licence to attack later – the knowledge that the defence will be able to support them if teh attack breaks down
Really pleased for the bloke, no-one likes to be subjected to endless criticism which tends to be the case with social media. Lots of amateur managers thinking they are better than someone who has managed at the highest level of the game for many years. I love the way he can get the best out of previously judged under performers eg Masuaku, Cresswell and Balbuana. It is also saving us from spending money on over rated players which has in the past eroded team spirit.
Agree Hugh – positive mental attitude! I was one of the many seduced by the Pelle package and feel I owe Moyesie my full support – and his stats don’t lie.