Hammers boss David Moyes will be furious with a story about his odds of being sacked after pleading for patience amid big West Ham rebuild.
West Ham have had a difficult start to the new season with just one win to their names from the opening six games.
The Hammers sit in the bottom three of the fledgling Premier League table with four points.
But that does not tell the full story, far from it. Just ask Moyes.
The Scot has warned for some time – since January in fact – that he faced a big summer rebuild at West Ham which may mean a period of transition.
Eight signings arrived in the summer window with 10 departures from last season’s squad.
With that kind of overhaul it was always going to take time for West Ham to gel.
The reality is West Ham have played defending champions Man City and another two of the predicted top four or five.
By rights Moyes’ boys should have won at Nottingham Forest and picked up a point at Chelsea. There is even an argument to say the Hammers should have had all three points against Spurs too.
Those extra six points would see West Ham sitting pretty in sixth right now.
But they aren’t and Moyes knows better than anyone points and results are the only thing that will alleviate some of the slight pressure that is building from a notoriously bloodthirsty football media.
West Ham’s manager has called for patience and trust on several occasions in recent weeks.
After beating Aston Villa recently Moyes said he would hope people look at the last two and a half years when assessing West Ham rather than just the last two and a half weeks as he ‘tries to piece things together’ (whufc.com).
His captain Declan Rice has also called for patience.
There have been clear signs of improvement in recent matches even if some fans have been frustrated by what they perceive as negative first half tactics.
One thing is certain, though, Moyes is not afraid to tackle what he perceives as unfair criticism.
He is well known to take on reporters and bite back when he takes umbrage to something.
David Moyes will be furious with sack story after pleading for patience amid big West Ham rebuild
And Moyes will be furious with a sack story that was doing the rounds this week after pleading for patience amid his big West Ham rebuild.
A report from Football London after the ludicrous defeat to Chelsea claimed David Moyes has a six per cent chance of the sack at West Ham.
“West Ham under David Moyes has only won one game of their opening six Premier League games after losing 2-1 to Chelsea last weekend,” the report states.
“David Moyes has a 6 per cent chance of losing his job as West Ham boss during Premier League matchweek 6.
“Moyes and the Hammers have only won one game this season, losing four and drawing the other of their opening six games.”
The article also discussed sack odds for other managers. And the low percentage was used to highlight how unlikely he is to get his P45 this week. But that clearly goes without saying.
It very much started an unwelcome conversation that in many ways only serves to pile on the pressure.
It is an interesting take with questionable timing given the manager has been regularly pleading for context, patience, trust and understanding. And it is exactly the kind of negative narrative that will not sit well with the manager after the minor miracle he has worked in east London over the last couple of years.
Moyes is not beyond reproach at West Ham by any means. Who is nowadays, even Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are criticised and questioned.
But the Hammers boss knows he has earned plenty of credit in the bank with fans and the club’s owners.
So don’t be surprised to see him bite back at the sack stories in forthcoming press conferences.
West Ham face FCSB on Thursday night and Newcastle on Sunday in a – both at home.
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