David Moyes this, David Moyes that, some West Ham fans simply can’t let go of their former boss even since the appointment of Graham Potter.
It was inevitable David Moyes would turn up a few trees when he finally landed at Everton seven months after leaving West Ham.
The ‘careful what you wish for’ brigade were out in force since West Ham parted company with Moyes and brought in Julen Lopetegui.
Hammers fans who wanted a change of direction from the Scot would make two very valid points to that reductive argument, though.
Firstly they asked why there was not a queue of clubs lining up to snap Moyes up if he was so highly regarded.
He would have to wait seven months and for Everton to be desperate before he got his next gig.
And that was only after the Toffees missed out to West Ham for their prime target Graham Potter.
The second point Hammers fans made about the situation was that just because they wanted to move on from Moyes, it did not mean they wanted Lopetegui.
That was all on David Sullivan and his self-confessed preference to ‘go with Premier League experience’.
Potter has now replaced the man who succeeded Moyes.
Forget Moyes – Potter’s quote of the year proves West Ham on right path
Potter has only had one win from his first five games while Moyes has managed three in six with two defeats and a last gasp draw against Liverpool.
Despite a poor display in a 2-0 defeat to Palace, Potter’s first month in charge has been a breath of fresh air in terms of style and approach.
It is what West Ham fans have been crying out for and exactly what they wanted when moving on from Moyes.
For some reason, though, some Hammers fans simply can’t let go of the Moyes obsession.
A certain section of West Ham’s support continues to hark back to their most successful boss of the modern era.
But forget Moyes because Potter’s quote of the year proves West Ham are on the right path.
Besides the clear shift in the style of play and approach, Potter is also impressing fans with his take on the game and the club.
That includes his clear enthusiasm for the Academy – something Moyes paid lip service to during his time in east London.
Moyes is the past, Potter is the future for Hammers
Which was partially understandable as the Hammers went on a meteoric rise and he perhaps felt he needed players for the here and now to maintain the momentum.
Moyes had West Ham – like he has already implemented at Everton – well drilled, functional, hard-working and playing risk averse football.
When that approach stops getting results – as it did for Moyes at the London Stadium – patience among fans wears thing very quickly.
It is a quote from Potter this week – which has to be one of the best we will hear from any manager all year – which shows more than anything that West Ham are finally on the right path to get where the fans want to be.
And it contrasts wildly to Moyes’ approach and view on the game.
“People say stop making mistakes,” Potter said on West Ham’s Iron Cast.
“Well you might as well not play football anymore.
“You are going to make mistakes, it’s how you react to them.”
Potter’s ideals more aligned with the real West Ham way
This is what the real West Ham way is. Being brave and always showing for the ball, wanting to try things and entertain.
To have a real go without fear of losing the ball or making a mistake.
Potter’s quote sounds like something Ron Greenwood or John Lyall might say.
It is akin to the attitude of other successful Hammers managers who played football the West Ham way like Harry Redknapp and Alan Pardew too.
It scream express yourself to the players.
There is much more longevity in Potter’s approach to football than that of Moyes.
Once he gets the players he wants and everyone back fit and on the same page, it promises to be a beautiful marriage at West Ham.
Everton may have a couple of good years with Moyes making them competitive again.
But their patience will wear thin with the style eventually – just like it did during his first stint with the Toffees and just like it did at West Ham.
Potter is the future, Moyes is the past.
Moyes will always be remembered fondly and respected in east London.
But it is time for those Hammers fans still clinging on to the past to let it go and embrace the future with Potter.
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