Andoni Iraola made an absolute mockery of the great David Moyes West Ham myth

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Andoni Iraola made an absolute mockery of the great David Moyes West Ham myth in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Thursday night.

Another game and another underwhelming performance from West Ham to generate yet more in-house debate.

Let’s face it West Ham wouldn’t be West Ham if the supporters weren’t divided over something.

And despite his achievements in the last four years, there are two very contrasting camps when it comes to David Moyes and his Hammers future beyond this season.

Ahead of games against Man United and Arsenal, the Scot says talks to extend his contract are “well down the line” and he expects it to be sorted soon.

But there is growing discontent among those who believe West Ham need a change of approach. So West Ham’s ownership may want to hold off for the timebeing.

West Ham have not won a game so far this year. The Hammers, missing key players, drew at home with a Brighton side without five of their own star men.

They failed to beat a midtable Championship side in two games, crashing out of the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion.

And they have now drawn with one of the worst Premier League teams in history and were seriously fortunate to come away with a point at home against Bournemouth.

Those who are firmly behind Moyes will, justifiably, point to the fact West Ham have lost one of their last 11 games.

There is no wrong or right opinion. Supporters who want continuity with Moyes are just as entitled to their opinion as those craving a more progressive, expansive style and approach.

Indeed many West Ham fans are conflicted about their own feelings on the best way forward.

But there was a distinct air of apathy at the London Stadium against Bournemouth.

West Ham are sat sixth in the table – for now at least – but the general consensus among a growing section of fans is simply one of complete and utter boredom.

Andoni Iraola made an absolute mockery of the great Moyes West Ham myth.

Those who champion keeping Moyes long-term ask the question ‘who would you get who can do a better job?’

And that is half the problem. Many of the supporters are becoming as risk averse in their thinking as the manager himself.

But how many West Ham fans had ever heard of Roberto De Zerbi or Iraola before they were hired by Brighton and Bournemouth?

To suggest there are no coaches out there who could do a better job than Moyes is ridiculous.

Against the Cherries West Ham had no discernible identity, style or patterns of play. It is a team propped up on individuals. And a squad woefully light on quality beyond the starting XI.

Iraola has Bournemouth playing some fantastic passing, attacking football. Watching West Ham sit off the visitors as if they were Man City sucked the life out of a stadium that can be so difficult to get going as it is.

Moyes has admitted himself recent performances have been among his worst as manager of the club. When managers are signing a new contract it is usually off the back of a polar opposite trend.

Only really Lucas Paqueta of his guaranteed starters is missing now. And with the players Moyes has at his disposal, West Ham should be playing much better football than they are. That is a fact not up for debate.

If matches against Man United and Arsenal don’t go well, Moyes will be under real pressure again.

So this may not be the most sensible time to be dishing out new long-term contracts.

Many fans feel this season could be another ‘last days of Sam Allardyce’. It has certainly had that feel over the last month.

West Ham were in and around the top four under Big Sam at the turn of his final year. But the season petered out to a damp squib leaving fans and Allardyce fed up with one another.

It is a myth there are no better coaches out there than Moyes.

Of course there is an element of ‘be careful what you wish for’ when it comes to changing direction.

But if you back your judgement on bringing in a modern, forward-thinking manager who plays a more exciting brand of football – like Tim Steidten did at Bayer Leverkusen when appointing in Xabi Alonso – then why couldn’t that new man get a better tune out of a team containing the likes of Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and co?

It is patronising to suggest a massive club like West Ham cannot hope for better football and results.

Why are Spurs and Aston Villa entitled to, but the Hammers aren’t?

Wherever you stand on Moyes and his future, it is certainly food for thought given the golden opportunity in front of West Ham during the second half of the season.

If Bournemouth – who face a far greater risk of being relegated than West Ham – are brave enough to go out and appoint a talented young coach then why can’t the Hammers back themselves to do the same?

Moyes has been one of the best managers West Ham have had. But the last thing any of us want is the manager out-staying his welcome and things ending on a sour note. He doesn’t deserve that.

But the way his team are playing, West Ham are more likely to end up in midtable than the European spots.

Moyes must prove he can get the Hammers playing a more exciting brand of football during the remainder of the season.

Then – and only then – should a decision should be made on handing him a new contract.

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