West Ham have often been seen as big underachievers in the Premier League.
Despite the many undoubted flaws they have, owners David Gold and David Sullivan have put funds into the team. Unfortunately, it’s often followed that the players they’ve bought just haven’t been up to it.
When you combine those big-money flops with an expectant fan base, poor results and the disastrous move to the London Stadium, you had a club in crisis. However, the unlikely saviour appears to be David Moyes. When the Scotsman returned for a second stint in charge in December last year, it was uninspiring. In fairness, you could understand why. After all, he was not offered a new contract and was replaced in May 2018, but he was good enough over 12 months later?
West Ham fans, what do you make of the appointment of David Moyes as boss? pic.twitter.com/hPeJ4N5GaM
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 29, 2019
Despite the iffy logic, things have actually worked out, and for the first time in what feels a long time, we are competitive in the top-flight. That’s reflected in the football betting odds too, as they are 16/1 to be relegated, with eight teams below them in that list. Simply put, Moyes has turned this team into one that is seen by the neutrals to be capable of finishing in the top-half.
Now, that’s not where the fans want the club to be, but everyone can recognise that progress has been made. Another pleasing factor with the ex-Manchester United boss is his record in the transfer market. That has been a significant issue for the club over the years. As touched upon, they have signed a lot of dross. Yet, even with a stricter budget, Moyes has managed to find a few gems.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen are the two that jump out at you. They seem to have bought in to what the support demand, bringing hard work and determination along with quality. New right-back Vladimir Coufal looks to be another bargain too.
On the pitch, results have been positive. Consecutive thrashings of Wolves and Leicester, that memorable comeback draw against rivals Tottenham and a point against Manchester City, showed the Hammers can compete with anyone on their day. More importantly, those results were all deserved and they came about because the side has a clear plan.
The switch to a back three has benefited many players and it suits the personnel Moyes has. Defensively, the team are more reliable than they have been in a long time and the creative players are starting to show their worth. There is a balance to the team and having navigated an extremely tough fixture list in the opening weeks of the season, West Ham can be excited about what this campaign can bring.
YES, LADS! pic.twitter.com/Yi5qbXyFZ0
— West Ham United (@WestHam) November 7, 2020
For a club the size of the Hammers, finishing in the top-half shouldn’t be lauded as a miraculous achievement. But, that’s a realistic goal now, and when you look at the circus that West Ham have been over recent years, to be thinking like that is clearly positive. Ultimately, that’s down to David Moyes. He may not have been popular on the terraces when he returned to the club, but he has built a solid platform to ensure the club can now look up.
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