If David Moyes half-time team talks are as uninspiring as his pre-match press conferences, then it is no wonder his team regularly concedes shortly after the re-start. There must be a strong case for keeping him out of the dressing room during the break. Indeed, once the match has started, he is largely surplus to requirements – incapable of making in-game tactical adjustments or introducing imaginative substitutions who can offer something different. You can set your watch by the timing of the Danny Ings for Michail Antonio switch.
It was deja-vu all over again at Brentford last weekend when a typically timid second half performance snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The highlight of the first half was a magnificent strike from Mohammed Kudus, the lowlight the sight of Antonio and Said Benrahma teaming up for the miss of the century.
The writing was on the wall as to how things might pan out towards the end of the opening period. After Emerson’s yellow card, Mbeumo was given increasingly more space out on the right to direct operations . Whereas Thomas Frank made adjustments in formation to negate the first-half threat from Mohammed Kudus, it was more of the same from the Hammers. While all three goals conceded were the result of school-boy defensive blunders that shouldn’t deflect from the woeful lack of ambition to build on the half-time lead.
Although my most significant gripe with Moyes is playing style, recent results have also been abysmal. After an impressive start, it is now just four points from the last seven games. A rate of return, which if continued to the end of the season, would result in a meagre total of 30 points from 38 games played. Having slipped into the bottom half of the table a final league position similar to last season is looking to be the likely outcome. Another season of treading water in the shallows while the more talented players instruct their agent to find something better.
Last season, the European campaign was the manager’s get out of jail card. And credit where it is due, winning any sort of silverware is a massive bonus for a club and fans starved for success. But it would foolish not to acknowledge the nature of the competition had always meant we were among the red hot favourites to win. This year’s Europa League will be a far harder nut to crack. With the potential for Newcastle and Manchester United to join Liverpool and Brighton in the knock-out stages, the Hammer’s history against those sides suggests a negligible chance of going all the way.
I had mentioned previously that the easiest route to a fourth season in Europe would by dropping down to the Conference. It was meant as a whimsical aside, but Moyes even slipped it in as a possibility in his press conference. He also talked up how three seasons of European games after Christmas would represent a major achievement for him and the players. Frankly, if he missed out on that (by finishing bottom of the group) surely he must fall on his sword.
The poor run of results now see Moyes backed into a corner for the two remaining games before the next international break kicks in. With his job again in jeopardy he has little option but to field strong sides in both games. That should mean no place for Antonio or Ings and a risky recall for Kurt Zouma to replace a shell-shocked Nayef Aguerd. A more enlightened manager would be looking to make selected use of what appears to be a very talented group in the U21s, but let’s not hold our breath on that one – unless it’s to wind the clock down in added time.
Judging just how strong an opponent Olympiacos will be is difficult. They remain second in the Greek Super League despite a devastating 2-4 home defeat at the hands of PAOK last Sunday. Apart from their Europa League victory (over a very poor West Ham side), their other results have been a home defeat to Freiburg and an away draw with Topola – throwing away a two-goal lead and going down to ten men. They are no strangers to European competition and will be looking for a third successive win in London having twice come away victorious against Arsenal in this same competition (2020 & 2021).
What usually happens when the pressure is mounting on the manager is that the team respond with a scruffy one-nil win. Taking an early lead and spending the rest of the night defending it. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if that happened again today. What the fans deserve though is an electric performance under the London Stadium lights to reward them for their devotion and loyalty. It’s high time there was a performance to fill up this half-empty glass. COYI!
Under The Hammers 