How Can The Backstreet Moyes Stay Top Six This Season?

After David Moyes's players posed for that photo, his team have affectionately become known as the Backstreet Moyes. However, the Scotsman isn’t a preening popstar who’s happy to take the club for a ride, far from it. He’s a winner who wants to build on the progress from last season.

The best way to describe the success of the last campaign is to state that finishing sixth was a disappointment. The Irons could have easily landed in the top four. Still, the key is to look ahead, not backwards. With that in mind, we should consider what West Ham United Football Club needs to do to cement its position in the top six.

Rotate Regularly

The 2020/21 season went swimmingly. As a result, the temptation is to assume the boys can do the same again. But that doesn’t factor different considerations into account. Yep, we’re talking about the Europa League.
The boss has already spoken about his desire to add silverware to the Hammers’ trophy cabinet, so the competition won’t be viewed as a hindrance. On the other hand, it’s a tough tournament to win as the quality level is sky-high. To put it into perspective, we’re 20/1 to claim the title.

Moyes must rotate his squad regularly, but he also needs to do it smartly. The best players need to start the biggest matches, meaning he may have to tweak the first-11 in fixtures of less importance. Even then, the players can’t take their eyes off the ball as upsets are features of the Premier League.

Pick Up More Points Against the Top Six

Okay, the top six is a concept that changes due to the success of teams like West Ham and Leicester City. Typically, though, it goes off size, meaning Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs are members. If you take the results from last year against these sides, you’ll notice a worrying trend.

Overall, Moyes' side managed a measly six points out of a possible 36. A solitary win came against Tottenham at home in February, and the rest were draws. Considering that the fixture list ended with 65 points, the Irons' final ranking was very impressive, given that dozens of points were given away to the big guns.

In many ways, it’s expected as they have the budgets and players to move through the gears. On the other hand, West Ham’s football betting odds to remain in sixth place are 5/1. That puts us behind Leicester and Leeds, two sides that excelled in the pressure moments.

Eliminate the Sloppy Home Form

19 - Since the turn of the year, West Ham have won 19 points in the Premier League (P8 W6 D1 L1) – only Manchester City (27 points) have accumulated more in the competition in 2021. Smiles. #WHUSHU pic.twitter.com/vPhI0X0rUl

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 15, 2021

The London Stadium was a fortress, in many ways, as it saw ten wins for the home side. Although the away form was record-breaking, West Ham took more points at home than on their travels. So, it’s hard to say that much needs to be adapted for the Olympic Stadium to become a fortress.

But there were quite a few points left on the table that were perhaps there to clinch. The one-nil loss to Everton sticks in the memory because it was a game that should have been dominated. Plus, the Toffees will be our rivals for a top-six place this term, so Moyes' side can’t afford to crumble under the pressure. The draws against Crystal Palace and Brighton in December were also poor.

It's not a criticism because it comes from a healthy place. Still, West Ham need to be aware that maintaining the high standards of last season can only happen through improvement.