LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: David Moyes manager of West Ham United speaks with the assembled Media during his Press Conference at London Stadium on November 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Avril Husband/West Ham United via Getty Images)
West Ham fans must be having a bubble never mind blowing them if they think David Moyes isn’t good enough to be their manager.
The sight of thousands of Hammers supporters walking out in the first half last weekend was understandable given Arsenal were on their way to sticking six past them. But surely the fact it was Declan Rice scoring the final goal of the rout should be a reminder of where they are.
Rice was the Hammers’ best player last season as they won a European competition. That’s right, West Ham won a European competition less than 12 months ago. Some of Moyes’ critics seem to forget that. But Rice was sold because he wanted to leave and join the Gunners. He wanted to step up a level.
Their best player was removed. Yes, money from the £100m sale was reinvested but it doesn’t make it easy to replace such an influential footballer who played in the heart of their team.
Yet the way Hammers fans talk about Moyes you’d think they were tussling it out with the likes of Luton and Burnley at the other end of the table. West Ham are eighth, they’re level on points with Saudi-backed Newcastle and they’re one ahead of Brighton and the manager everyone raves about in Roberto de Zerbi.
The Londoners are just five back on Manchester United. European qualification is a real possibility still. Oh, and they’re in the Europa League last 16 having won their group. They’re six games away from another European final.
