What Nottingham Forest fans chanted at West Ham United is actually a clear message to David Moyes after pleas.
After winning a five-goal thriller 3-2 the last thing you would expect to hear is West Ham’s manager admitting he was ‘bored’ watching his side for long spells.
But that’s exactly what David Moyes, as honest as the day is long, did following the much-needed victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
West Ham fans watching the second half display against Nottingham Forest were all scratching their heads wondering the same thing.
Why don’t we play like that all the time?
Forest chant actually a clear message to Moyes
West Ham were handed the lead on a plate by Forest and could have been 2-0 up soon after at the London Stadium.
It came as a result of West Ham pressing high up the pitch and playing on the front foot.
But then the manager changed his tactics and reverted to sitting deep and playing on the counter attack.
That only served to invite Nottingham Forest on and they got an equaliser on half-time. West Ham were jeered off at the break because of the sideways and backwards risk averse football.
It was understandable given the Hammers were playing football that was as dull as dishwater at times. And it’s been an all too common theme despite the manager having some seriously exciting players at his disposal.
Even Moyes admitted he was bored
So when Forest took the lead in the second half, you could sense the knives being sharpened for Moyes.
Headed goals from two corners by Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek saved the day, though.
Something the visiting supporters were heard singing at the London Stadium in the first half perhaps summed things up best.
What Nottingham Forest fans chanted at West Ham is actually a clear message to Moyes after pleas.
West Ham fans have been urging Moyes to change his approach and play a high energy, high tempo pressing game. To ditch this low block, counter attack style he reverts to much of the time regardless of the opposition.
‘1-0 up and you still don’t sing’ addresses the elephant in the room
There was frustration among West Ham fans and the atmosphere inside the London Stadium in that first half did not go unnoticed by the Forest supporters.
Forest fans chanted: ‘1-0 and you still don’t sing’ to West Ham. And they had a point.
But after pleading with their manager for some time to play a more attacking style, that boredom factor was the sole reason why.
So the chant was actually a clear message to the Hammers manager if anything.
In the second half West Ham were left with no choice but to go for it having fallen 2-1 down. And that’s when the atmosphere came to life and supporters reacted to a more positive approach.
That should be the biggest lesson the manager learns from this win over Forest if he wants to see his contract renewed – as he insists he does.
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