David Moyes looked to be a man vindicated when West Ham beat Brentford 4-2 but in fact quite the opposite was true.
For the nine days leading up to West Ham’s first win of 2024 against Brentford, the club’s fans had been painted in a certain light by a large section of the press.
Ungrateful, deluded, fickle, clueless, unrealistic – did we mention ungrateful – you name it West Ham fans have been called it of late.
While ‘Moyes Out’ banners were clearly an unnecessary step too far, Hammers fans were entitled to air their displeasure.
Supporters were pilloried by many for having the temerity to want a better quality of football.
The likes of Spurs, Villa, Brighton and others can want, expect – and indeed have – quality attacking football and results.
But West Ham, apparently, can’t.
It is OK to think Moyes has done a great job AND want better football
As I have written more times than I care to remember now, it is OK to think David Moyes has done a tremendous job at West Ham – which he has – and expect a better brand of football. Or at least see some progress towards that.
The manager has been bullish in defence of his West Ham tenure. And rightly so.
But a highly-detailed deep dive into key statistics about Moyes’ West Ham left the manager nowhere to hide after the Forest defeat.
There was palpable relief for everyone connected with the club when they finally got a first win in nine attempts against the Bees.
Some tried to paint it as ‘one in the eye’ for West Ham fans. Or a moral victory for Moyes over his supporters.
But there is an uncomfortable truth for Moyes about West Ham’s season-saving win over Brentford.
Fans not Moyes were vindicated by Hammers victory
Because all it did was prove that West Ham fans were spot on.
There was a marked change in approach against the west Londoners.
The Hammers went at the opposition from the off, playing on the front foot, pressing high and generally going for it.
That is what West Ham fans have been pleading for Moyes to do for an age.
The result? West Ham found themselves 2-0 up after seven minutes.
West Ham’s defence – on the whole – looked far more secure. And that was because Moyes finally dropped Nayef Aguerd in favour of Konstantinos Mavropanos. Yet again something most West Ham fans have been calling on Moyes to do.
Supporters do know their onions sometimes
Moyes played James Ward-Prowse a bit further forward and he was much more effective. Guess what? West Ham fans have been saying that all season.
The manager’s hand was forced in not playing Kalvin Phillips. But again his absence allowed Edson Alvarez to get back to his rampaging best after being restricted to one area of the midfield when Phillips plays alongside him. Once again that was a fact supporters have been stressing was impacting the team and results.
Of course it helped having Lucas Paqueta back. But what also helped was having the crowd up from the off thanks to that fast start.
Yes football fans can be hard work. They can be fickle at times too. But they also know their clubs and know what they want.
If this win was vindication for anyone it was probably the West Ham fans.
But let’s hope Moyes has now had an epiphany and long may this approach continue.
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