The West Ham players put in one of their worst performances over the past six months or so against Brighton today.
The big concern is that this wasn’t just a one-off.
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There has been a slow and gradual decline at the London Stadium since the turn of the year and as things stand, Hammers boss David Moyes looks bereft of ideas.
The owners have received heavy criticism from the West Ham fans over the past few years. But let’s have it right, they’ve backed David Moyes to the hilt this summer.
By all accounts, they were desperate to spend money in January as well. Moyes admitted back in February that he had £100 million at his disposal to spend on transfers in the mid-season transfer window (KUMB).
Moyes should have strengthened then, but that argument is for another time. What matters now is bringing in further reinforcements before the summer transfer window closes. And I mean quality reinforcements…
One huge positive for West Ham after Brighton wake-up call
Moyes and the owners now have absolutely nowhere to hide.
In spite of bringing in six top-class new players this summer, the Scot needs to do a lot more. We think that we are three of four elite players away from being able to compete on all fronts this term.
The likes of Aaron Cresswell, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal, Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma have all regressed badly over the past six months.
Declan Rice doesn’t seem interested at the moment whilst Jarrod Bowen is well off the pace.
Moyes has allowed this team to get stale. And that’s on him. At elite level sport, you constantly need to change things and keep things fresh. Look at the best teams throughout the years – Manchester United in the 90’s and early 2000’s and Manchester City and Liverpool over the past five years. They never stood still.
Moyes has to freshen up his options at the London Stadium and the owners have to back him.
This could be a very long campaign if the Scot continues with the same players, system and playing style. What’s that they say about doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results?
Moyes needs to sign a top-class left-back, a powerful central midfielder with impressive technical ability and another attacker who has pace in abundance before the transfer window slams shut, at the very least.
It is also worth considering whether a change of formation needs to be brought into play? Perhaps reverting to three centre-backs with two wing-backs could be the way forward.
Whatever happens, today’s result, and more importantly the performance against Brighton shone a blinding light on Moyes and the owners. There is no hiding place for any of them now. Strengthening this squad is an absolute must.
Hopefully we’ll look back on this result at the end of the season as a huge turning point for West Ham.
Read other West Ham news:
Report: Moyes now eyeing move to sign £95k-a-wk winger who ‘wants to join West Ham’
Report: West Ham now want to sign £15m 2019 Europa League winner from PL rivals