After debating West Ham United’s warm weather trip to Miami, the Hammers’ chance of survival and who should have the Irons No1 goalkeeper’s jersey in recent weeks, today, five Moore Than Just A Club writers debate whether or not they would like to see manager David Moyes remain at the London Stadium beyond the end of the 2017/2018 season, a mix of views, for sure.
Luke Glanville (@Glanville_Luke) – Site Lead:
The one thing I would like to see at West Ham United, for now, is some stability and given the job that David Moyes has done at previous clubs, Everton being a prime example, he is the man to deliver that.
While at times and given circumstances, there have been a few questionable performances by Moyes’ West Ham this season, he has made the Hammers hard to beat in the last few months.
As conveyed by my friend Kiran Moodley in this week’s MTJAC.com Podcast, it has been nice to see some strong defending after 18 months of attacking and sometimes reckless football under Slaven Bilic.
From the moment Moyes arrived in East London, I have been impressed with the Scot, after a tricky few years, he seems to have a soring in his step once again and a glint in his eye.
The rut that the Irons were in when he showed up at London Stadium was very tricky to get out of and as seen at West Bromwich Albion, a new manager doesn’t necessarily solve that.
Moyes deserves a lot of credit for what he has done and if you forget the three matches before the most recent victory over Southampton, I think he would be getting a lot of it.
Taking away the results, fantastic form against the “Big Six” and an impressive thrashing of Huddersfield Town away from home, not to mention the dramatic upturn in home form.
What Moyes has done for the players is quite something, dramatically improving their fitness and confidence levels, along with their form on the pitch too.
The likes of Marko Arnautovic, who has scored all of his nine strikes in Claret & Blue in Moyes’ reign, who clearly just needed the right boss to put an arm around him and unlock his potential.
The Austrian hasn’t looked back since, but it hasn’t just been the newer arrivals, he has also galvanised the likes of veteran skipper Mark Noble and defender Angelo Ogbonna.
For me, Moyes is leading the East Londoners out of a very tricky period on and off the field and has somewhat saved the club from what could have been a season of the like of 2010/2011 when all are things are considered.
Going forward and to make that Toffees comparison once again, the Scotsman can certainly build something from here on in and should he get a new contract in the summer, which looks increasingly likely, will surely get to do his own thing in the summer transfer window in simplistic terms.
So, to cut to the chase, for me, Moyes is the man to take the Hammers forward and firstly get them away from the relegation battle and then back into mid-table, playing consistent football and keeping clean sheets and after that, who knows?
I think he will do this by bringing back the traditional Academy of Football reputation much like during his time on Merseyside and the club has the current crop to do that for sure, for now, the future looks brighter under Moyes.
David Moyes At West Ham United Beyond The End Of 2017/2018: Yes
Alf Gasparro (@alfgasparro) – Columnist:
Is Moyes the future of Hammers’ Management?
As the end of the season draws near, most are looking to the next game hoping that the fit and able players within the West Ham squad can amass enough points to ensure survivability in the Premier League. However, I am looking most closely at David Moyes and his performance in the next few games to determine whether he would merit a contract extension for another two years or so.
His limited successes thus far have been outweighed by the categorical failures, not only in the league but also in both cup competitions where I deemed his tactics unbecoming of a West Ham manager. Of course, he steadied the ship somewhat and has made the team more cohesive and defensively minded, but that was only temporary. The team now, are just as likely to dominate over poor teams as they are to fall by their own sword and whilst Arnautovic has prospered, there have been too many that have not improved.
It would be unfair to blame Moyes for the season as a whole, for injuries and suspensions have played their part too, however, overall his tactics have been timid when they should have been more ambitious, especially against teams in similar league positions. For this reason alone, I would task him to ensure survival but at the end of the season thank him for his service, pay him his bonus and replace him with a younger, more dynamic and attack-minded manager who would build a team to play higher up the pitch and that would allow the creative players to flourish whilst still retaining a robust defence.
David Moyes At West Ham United Beyond The End Of 2017/2018: No
Federico Maroli (@MaroliFede) – Tactical Analyst:
Moyes Moyes Moyes. That’s a big part of West Ham fans’ discussion and also of the articles I written in the past few weeks. While his results have been far from successful and reassuring, some of my colleagues may argue in favor of his reappointing next season to spur some much-needed stability at the club. Nevertheless, the lack of an adequate style of play, combined with bipolar performances and results are far from the stable and consistent characteristics that the Hammers need.
Following the rather fast decline in Bilic’s management, appointing Moyes seemed like a rather decent idea: experienced yet not successful (keeps realistic expectations) and with a good track record to support this decision. However, as months have passed, Moyes has not been able to justify his appointment. With very poor performances week in and week out, extreme dry-spells faced by our strikers and an ever-struggling defence, nothing seemed to go Moyes’ way. Constant change in pre-game tactics and formations led to mass confusion that subsequently turned into poor and unsatisfying performances from the Hammers. Overall, while the team construction is not world-class but certainly does not lack quality and experience (and the nice addition of young flair), the Scotsman has not been able to take full advantage of it and utilize it to manage West Ham to a more appropriate spot on the table.
That being said, his job is now on the line: with the last few decisive weeks coming up and the match-up against top-tier teams, Moyes’ (and West Ham) face the threat of relegation. Needless to say that the end goal should be to survive and stay in the Premier League at all costs (i.e. no need for great tactical dispositions or strategic game-plays). Overall, however, I believe (and hope), that regardless of the final placement of West Ham, it is time for Moyes and the East London team to part ways.
David Moyes At West Ham United Beyond The End Of 2017/2018: No
Nick Caccavone (@slicknick66) – Columnist:
I was surprised, to say the least, when David Moyes was appointed as successor to Slaven Bilic. The temporary appointment seemed to suit both the board and Moyes. He steadied the sinking ship and managed to get the team playing.
There’s been a few shockers along the way, there’s nothing unusual there then. Give him the job and a few quid and allow him the opportunity. If he’s given money to spend then I believe he’ll make us into a solid outfit.
We’re never going to win the league but in his hands, we’ll have a reasonable chance of being in the top eight and having a decent cup run or two. I’d like to think he’ll turn us into the Everton of old.
Arnautovic has been transformed and Ogbonna has been assured and consistent since Moyes arrived on the scene. I’m sure a solid pre-season and a couple of ins and outs and I believe we’ve got a chance for the future.
I’d like to think we’ll build and learn from this uninspiring season, let’s face it providing we avoid relegation it’s been pretty dire. The only way has to be up and therefore It’s a yes from me. Trust in Moyes.
David Moyes At West Ham United Beyond The End Of 2017/2018: Yes
Tim Adams (@TimAdams76) – Columnist:
A few months ago David Moyes became synonymous with what could be said was claret looking marmite. Brought into the club last November the Scottish manager has undoubtedly divided opinion, and as results worsened there was a feeling that he might not have lasted until the end of the season.
From the look of beleaguered faces after two 3-0 home drubbings by Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley respectively, there is now slight optimism after the Hammers downed Southampton last weekend by that exact score-line.
The possibility of a new contract for Moyes is increasing by the day, and if he keeps the club afloat in Premier League waters then there is no reason why he should not be awarded one.
It was clever of the board to offer Moyes a contract which gave them the option of extending or terminating it towards the back end of the season, without looking like they were panicking when the on-pitch scene became messy.
Yet it is Moyes’s work off the London stadium turf which has brought a smile to David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady. They are impressed by his approach to discipline and the response from the players since his arrival.
Marko Arnautovic, who believe it or not is the club’s record signing, has flourished under Moyes scoring nine goals in 17 league appearances, a world away from the days of Slaven Bilic where the former Stoke City marksman failed to find the net once under the former boss.
The man management of Joe Hart, who must’ve been shot for confidence after being dropped for Adrian, has rediscovered his form. The clean sheet against the Saints was a rare welcome for a man so used to being under pressure.
That subsequent return of confidence does not suddenly arrive out of the blue. It takes fluid communication, the right tone at the proper time and the integrated belief of a coaching team to get a player’s mental approach back on track. Moyes has expertly overseen that process and it’s worked a charm.
With the possibility of the Joao Mario transfer from Sporting Lisbon becoming permanent things are finally looking up in the East End. And if West Ham can stay up then Moyes will no doubt be in charge in August. And rightly so.
David Moyes At West Ham United Beyond The End Of 2017/2018: Yes
The Sottish boss is currently contracted by the club until the summer, at which point they will sit down and negotiate over Moyes’ future at the club, though the primary objective for the Hammers will be Premier League survival, Moyes’ men head into this Sunday’s league trip to Stamford Bridge in 14th position and a full five points clear of the bottom three on 33 points.