David Moyes

“They Want Him to Fail” | The Ghost of Moyes Looming Large over Lopetegui

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The shadow of David Moyes is growing over Julen Lopetegui with every poor result West Ham suffer.

Moyes was no stranger to the threat of being sacked himself, of course. However, things are a little different for the Hammers’ new boss. Whilst West Ham’s former gaffer often faced pressure from fans and, at times, the club’s board, the Scotsman always enjoyed the backing of the media as a whole.

This happened to such an extent that nearly all the major broadcasters believed it was absolute madness for the West Ham hierarchy to consider letting Moyes go.

That is a very different situation from what Lopetegui now faces. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that many of the sports media’s big hitters are sharpening their knives, hoping for the former Wolves boss to fail at London Stadium.

Part of this stems from an “I told you so” culture, with pundits seemingly lining up to remind Hammers fans to be careful what they wish for. Another motivation appears to be that Lopetegui is guilty of the “crime” of not being David Moyes.

The Scotsman has powerful allies in the media and seems to operate under different rules than most other managers. This includes Moyes being able to flirt with Everton while their current manager, Sean Dyche, is still in the job—despite the hypocrisy of Moyes despising that same tactic when he was on the receiving end.

Moyes also benefits from favourable reporting on his West Ham record, which tends to erase his failures and highlight only the successes. In many respects, it’s as if the sports media measure Moyes’ West Ham career only up to the Conference League victory in Prague.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui looks frustrated

Lopetegui has not impressed as Moyes successor

Lopetegui is fighting a ghost

This situation puts Lopetegui at a huge disadvantage because the numerous thrashings West Ham suffered last season under Moyes seem to have been erased from the narrative. One could be forgiven for believing the Hammers were at their rampaging best last season rather than on the receiving end of multiple five- and six-goal thrashings.

The truth is, last season West Ham had an absolute stinker, and the poor performances this season mirror those of the previous campaign. In short, there appears to be little difference.

This is not to make excuses for Lopetegui, who appears to be doing a poor job of improving the team, particularly given the money he has had to spend. Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he is being compared to a manager he couldn’t possibly live up to.

The comparisons being made aren’t to the David Moyes who conceded the most goals in West Ham’s Premier League history or the one who failed in Spain and got Sunderland relegated. Lopetegui is being compared to an idealised redacted version of Moyes—a kind of polished avatar of the Scotsman’s best moments.

Much like following Ferguson at Man Utd or Wenger at Arsenal, I suspect the weight of pressure may be too heavy to overcome.

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15 comments

  • Zahama says:

    There are parallels between the departure of Moyes and the departure of BFS. Both have done good things for West Ham but played terrible football and had last seasons of two halves – reaching Xmas challenging for top four followed by relegation form for the rest of the season. The media also love BFS – “Firefighter Sam”

    Bilic came in and also had to integrate a lot of players into the team – and in his first season managed to do so brilliantly with victories away to Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal among others

    So if indeed Lopetegui is annoyed by the media he just needs to improve the performances

  • Westside Phil says:

    He didn’t help himself by letting Kevin Nolan go….I think he would have provided the messages needed to fire up a team that just looked a mess in the second half and maybe the Loppy just needs someone in there of a a Noble/Nolan character – I’m sure I’m stating the obvious to many fellow season ticket holders. Losing is one thing but the way we lost against Chelsea, Tottenham is a major concern and Bowen might be one our best players but he hasn’t the personality of those mentioned.

  • Ray says:

    It is nothing to do with the “I told you so” culture, that is your dead horse to flog. Do you honestly think that fans or pundits would be so critical if Lopetegui was getting results, or even just looking like things were moving in the right direction? They would be loving him. What unites fans and pundits here is the mystery surrounding every damn thing he does. Moyes’ losses last season only appear to have been erased because he isn’t there anymore, and poetic though your summary may sound, Moyes was never a Ferguson or a Wenger.

  • John Harris says:

    The players have to take responsibility.

    Their collective attitude yesterday was not good enough…No fight back at 2..1.
    I thought at the time when the subs were getting ready, the team on the pitch all wanted to get off !..So it proved as Tottenham scored at will.
    He played the same team that had won 4..1 previously, so something is wrong somewhere.
    Perhaps there are too many players with excuses..Paqueta ..Soler on loan…Antonio at the end of his contract….Wan bisaka seemed the most unhappy transfer before a ball was kicked this season…He had no desire to track back for Tottenhams fourth…He just didnt seem to want to come here pre season…The transfer took ages to get over the line..Was he waiting for a better deal?..This “excuse” can be pointed at most of the new signings in the current climate..So i might be grasping at straws…Either way the easy option is to blame the manager ” because he cant get a tune out of the players”….
    My gut feeling is the majority of the newbies took West Ham as their second/ third option, a stepping stone for a season…That seems to be the way they are all playing anyway…As individuals trying to showcase themselves rather than as a cohesive team unit.
    Those of you reading this will still blame the manager…But like i said at the beginning..

  • Clive says:

    Spot on Gonzo!

  • Phil Baker says:

    My issue with Moyes wasn’t just one poor plan for each game ( one trick pony ) , but poor squad management/rotation , poor use of the academy players and very poor transfer decisions both in too slow , vetoes and acquisitions . The Premier League is dynamic and evolves with time and some managers don’t namely Moyes and Lopetegui . It’s obvious to everyone that when Lopetegui attempts high line and over advanced left and right back Westham get shredded . He’s tried some laughably bad tactical plans and misplaced player positions . He’s utterly clueless and must be sacked .

  • Bennyboy baker says:

    Oh no we can’t bring moyes back not after the style of football we were playing it was like watching paint dry we have seen glimpse of improvement but it seems to fade away each time we are fast becoming a laughing stock with the rest of the premier league spent so much to bring quality to the club and JL can’t get them to play as a team I thought he was supposed to be a experienced manager coz right now it looks like he hasn’t got a clue about what he is doing he has to go

    • Andy Stone says:

      Very true regarding the style of football with Moyes. Even for a sub £20 ticket that wouldn’t be fair to the customer (I do love to term things as Sullivan does when it suits me). Champagne ticket prices deserve Champagne football.

  • Andy Stone says:

    No regrets. Lopetegui failing doesn’t equal there being more miles left in Moyes, they’re two different but similar coaches/managers. There are other options out there.

  • Trevsheadwonthecup says:

    The decision moyes made to prioritise signing JWP over yousef forfana . Is well and truly biting us on the arse now . Obviously it doesn’t help when his replacement is as clueless as he was . Thanks sully.

  • Kip says:

    Greatful for what moyes did … but even with j lo being crap dosnt change how bad it got under.moyes in the end …how many goals and thrashing did we get at the end of moyes reign..? So.pro moyes people have short memories too ……I’m not sure what happens from here but we are not in a good plsce at all and totally at.a loss now….arteta was on the verge of the sack for 2seasons now look at the diffrence …but not sure they wil give j lo time as the team looks like hesdless chickens….the gulf in qauility with teams like us and villa is unreal ……dont get me started.on our 90 year fowsrd line …all that money ans still no young hungry forward with.pace….duran was the deal that could of made the diffrence …but rather psy extra 5 mil they paid 27 for a snother 30 year old german …
    NOW THATS.WEST HAM.ALL OVER…….I WISH the club was bought by someone else now…the whole club needs change..
    Use to bother me now lost alot of intrest ..
    .you just knowxwhats coming in games ….laughable how we folded yesterday….just knew it would happen😞😞😞😞😞given up

  • Eric barnett says:

    Moyes time had come and he only had himself to blame when he kept playing the same players week after week which only led to players being worn out. We had enough players for him to rotate a bit more but he chose to ignore the likes of Downes, kelher, Fornals, which although maybe not the best would have at least give others a rest.
    It would also help Lopetegui if the current lot could do the simplest of passes, especially Areola, shocking how they give the ball away so easily. Although I will say Lopetegui doesn’t help himself when he keeps Paquta on when it’s obvious he has other things on his mind. Biggest loss is going to be Kudus for next three games but the players also need to start waking up

  • Mick Taxi says:

    Last comment so right I’ve seen all our games this year and I cannot see loops game plan one things for sure paqueta shouldn’t star against utd I give him to the next international break things don’t improve he’s gone

  • Steve Whelan says:

    Been a WHU supporter since birth in 1954 in Ilford. Been going to matches since 1963 , home & away. Been a season ticket holder since 2007. It WAS time for Moyes to go , no question or regrets . The new guy will take time , lots of new players etc. , however the number of goals being conceded is a big concern. We are West Ham , support the team , accept that , at best 8th to 14th is about our level , would we want a billionaire investor ?
    We are what we are ⚒⚒

  • Sir Alfred says:

    Bang on the money.

    Look at our league form from early 2022 onwards to Moyes departure. One brief pre xmas spell of good results albeit with poor performances and rub if the green. We were regressingbadly.

    One big part of the problem is still recruitment. Everyone sees it. Lack of legs in midfield to play high line, possession game. Its why teams invest 110 million in Caicedo, 100 mill on Rice, 50 on Bissuma, Bentancur, 50 mill on Gravenberch etc etc

    We have only Alvarez and he is not the quickest. Soucek, Paqueta, Soler and Alvarez not enough “legs” and physicality. Its bloody obvious even to a one eyed man with a glass eye. Someone let Steidten, Loppy and Sullivan know please 🙁

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