Manager David Moyes and captain Declan Rice are on completely different pages over ‘the last two years’ at West Ham.
As the dust settled on West Ham’s horrendous 5-1 defeat at home to Newcastle last night all eyes were on David Moyes and skipper Declan Rice in the post match interviews.
Both fronted the cameras and the situation – as they are obliged to of course – but credit to them in that regard nonetheless.
But there is a clear difference in mindset between the manager and players if post match comments are anything to go by.
On one hand Moyes once again banged the drum that supporters have been spoilt over the last two years.
The under pressure Hammers boss has reminded fans just how good ‘the last two years’ have been ad nauseam all season long.
Moyes was at it again last night, saying: “We’ve had some great results last year whether it’s been in the league, whether it’s been in Europe and sometimes when things aren’t going so well you need everybody behind you.”
When you are in the kind of situation West Ham find themselves in, you need everyone to have the same mindset and focus.
The whole team from board to players have to be ‘on message’ if West Ham are to have any hope of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Yet while Moyes was once again harking back to how great the last two years have been, his captain Rice was sending a contrasting message.
Manager Moyes and captain Rice were on completely different pages over ‘the last two years’ at West Ham.
Speaking in an extended interview with Sky Sports, Rice made a point of stating ‘we can’t keep going on about the last two years’.
“Obviously fans have their views and opinions and I’m sure if I was a fan sat in the seat I wouldn’t be happy as well,” Rice said.
“I have full sympathy with them, they’re coming to watch the club they love that they want to see win, they want to see do well and ultimately we haven’t done that this season.
“But they’re still behind us. Even though there are some boos and some other things being said, I have a lot of positive interactions with fans and I know they’re all behind us and I think we’re going to be fine…
“But to be in this position, obviously it’s the reality. We can’t keep talking about the past, the last two years and how well we’ve done because you know we’re now in the present and it’s not been good enough this season. I’m ready to stand up, I think the lads are ready to stand up as well.”
Well at least someone is standing up and saying what all the fans have been thinking all season.
Moyes and Rice need to get their heads together and sort this sorry lot out ahead of the huge game at Fulham this weekend.
West Ham’s fans will show up again – as always.
The players need to show up too.
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