David Moyes has warned West Ham fans not to give the football media what they want when it comes to overinflated expectations.
You do not have to cast your mind back too far to remember when David Moyes was facing an uncertain future at West Ham.
Even after leading the Hammers to a first trophy in 43 years when they lifted the Europa Conference League back in June.
Any speculation surrounding Moyes’ future has been firmly put to bed by West Ham’s excellent start to the new campaign, though.
There do however remain some factions of the West Ham fanbase who yearn – justifiably or not – for a more progressive manager in the mould of a Robert de Zerbi, Ange Postecoglou or Xabi Alonso.
Progressive football, progress or both?
West Ham’s low possession statistics are often used as a stick with which to beat Moyes by some journalists and fans.
It is perhaps the biggest indication of just how far West Ham have come under Moyes since he returned to east London in 2020.
West Ham are playing European football for a third consecutive season for the first time in the club’s long history.
With that – and the trophy win last term – expectations have risen across the club.
That was evident when many younger supporters turned up to the Sheffield United game in expectant mood.
The Blades went into the game off the back of an 8-0 drubbing to Newcastle the week before. And some West Ham fans were hoping they too would blow the relegation favourites away.
David Moyes warns West Ham fans not to give the football media what they want when it comes to overinflated expectations
West Ham took a comfortable 2-0 lead into half-time. But the second half was something of a bore fest as Sheffield United dug in, determined not to be embarrassed again.
Some Hammers fans wanted to see the team go for the jugular in the second half. And some have been vocal on forums and social media about their disappointment with the second half showing.
West Ham have hardly had a mention in the football media so far this season. And that is because everything is going along swimmingly for the Hammers thus far.
Supporters need to keep their heightened expectations in perspective, though, according to the boss.
Moyes has warned West Ham fans not to give the football media what they want when it comes to overinflated expectations.
The Hammers boss has just fired a little reminder that we should not give the press a story by being greedy.
‘Don’t get carried away like everybody else is trying to do…’
“It was a day where everybody was expecting maybe an easy game in some way,” Moyes told West Ham’s official site in extended video footage after the Sheffield United win.
“But I’ve never been a manager and found an easy game that’s for sure,” the Scot added with a knowing smile.
“I think if anybody looks at the result (never mind the stats) they’ll see it as a great result for West Ham whether it was 2-0 or more you know.
“I think when you look at the results in the Premier League, there’s no guarantee – it’s a strange league…
“No not at all (disappointed West Ham did not win by more goals). More than happy. And if we’d won 1-0 I’d have been thrilled.
“So don’t get carried away like everybody else is trying to do and saying we should be winning these games a lot easier.”
Moyes is spot on here. Just look at how Man City and Spurs both struggled to break Sheffield United down.
It was a comfortable victory and winning in the Premier League is not an easy thing to do.
Let’s not give the football media vultures bones to pick at by being unreasonable with our expectations ahead of another bumper 50-game plus season.
If the football is dull, negative, unimaginative and overly defensive and West Ham are not getting results then questions can rightly be asked.
But until then let’s just all enjoy what looks to be the makings of another really good Hammers side under Moyes following the summer rebuild.
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