Sunday's surrender to Brentford was a sanguine experience in several ways, firstly the '2nd' team selected contained nine changes from midweek and it showed! Secondly and perhaps more importantly, rumblings about David Moyes being retained beyond this season might be heard less now his 'new trick' abysmally failed when called upon.
Fans were crying out for a bit of squad rotation, however what they got was more irritation instead! How could a manager de-motivate a group of players to such an extent and how could the players selected perform so dreadfully? Pulling on the Claret and Blue shirt used to mean a helluva lot, least ways it did in many households even if your mum had stitched your number on the back.
Moyes would have been better off selecting the ENTIRE U-21 team or even the U-18's than his 'hotch potch' starting eleven, because at least the Junior teams are used to playing together, whereas Sunday's 'offering' somehow contrived to be the worst of both worlds.
Anyway it is what it is, players were rested and will be up for it on Thursday for the 2nd leg semi final of the Con Cup. Ahead of the game, VAR's best pals Liverpool take on Leicester on Monday night. IF the scousers can take all three points towards their late surge for Europe, they will have confirmed Hammers Premier League status, that is unless Big Sam's Leeds can win BOTH their remaining fixtures by at least five goals a game.
Hammers are at home to Leeds on Sunday for the penultimate game of the season ahead of a final day fixture away to Leicester, so essentially West Ham could have the fate of both of the clubs in their hands. Hopefully Liverpool will beat the Foxes so Hammers players can go into Thursday's game knowing their top flight status is already confirmed, it might just make the difference. LN
Comments
Perspective...
To get a better perspective on all things West Ham, I thought I would take a look at other clubs and was shocked by what some of the Arsenal supporters were saying about Arteta after their home defeat against Brighton... who we also lost against 0-2.
I also read what many Chelsea fans were saying about their legend Frank Lampard Jr "Get out of my club, you're no longer a Legend".... Stunned.
I guess that's football these days, nonsense and admiration in equal measure without any middle ground.
I thought Arsenal supporters would have a little more understanding, being the knowledgeable bunch that they are and being second in the league and finally moving in the right direction.
I also thought that "Quick-Fix" club Chelsea's supporters would show a little bit of understanding for their Legend caretaker manager.
Who'd want to manage a Premier League club without a wizards wand?
or being able to quell violent social media toxicity?
Sunday was a Dammed if you do, Dammed if you don't game and dependant on Thursday's result, it will probably soon be forgotten.
good points Mr G
However, I dont feel that West Ham fans have anything in common with the glory hunting Chavskis or Gooners. We never treated our hero's in such a fashion and I am thinking of Moore and Hurst and even Martin Peters at Spudz when they returned to UP. Yes, we were brutal to people like Ince, Defoe, Lampard and a few others but to Tevez etc we were more than polite!
A very good friend of mine is a real Chelsea old school fan, followed them all around the country when they were in the 2nd division etc and famously said when City one the Prem " City fans haven't been this happy since they supported Chelsea" and that for me sums it all up in one sentence.
We have nothing in common that lot, as my 33 year old son says "I have supported West Ham all my life through thin and thin"!
Every club thinks their supporters are special... I just know that ours really are special! COYI's!!!!!
Great Post as usual Dartford
Agree with everything you say,what's different about Westham fans to the glory hunters is we are used to dross for so long but that one (rare) brilliant performance makes up for it all!!
It certainly does 65 and I
It certainly does 65 and I truly mean it, our support is VERY special and the like of us are a part of that!
Fair comment Dartford, it was
Fair comment Dartford, it was an observation along with the realisation that the "Old School Ways" are being replaced by the "New", whether we are part of this or not, it's happening all the same.
I've always believed that our support was different to the rest as we had a mostly working class, down-to-earth supporter base without the inflated egos, but I also realise that society has long since changed.
I hope that I'm wrong, but we all have to take a look at ourselves from time to time.
COYI
Imo
I believe the expectation nowadays is down to the move,promised a world class team in a world class stadium.We all know that the board were full of it but we moved without a barely a protest.But fair enough we've done it there's no going back,but on the flipside Westham fans aren't mugs we want some sort of progress if we had to move from our spiritual home! The board have to take some blame for lack of progress imo & btw I was 4 years of age in 1969 when I went to my first game with my Dad & uncle & from that day at UP I just loved being part of Westham regardless of the result....I'm not a fan of Stratford but that's my choice but I believe our loyal fans deserve success for putting up with the boards decision,hence the team,moyes & this board need digging out when deserved
Just stating facts
I'm not questioning anyone's depth of love for this club or the fact that we ALL bleed Claret and Blue for this club and readily wear our hearts on our sleeves.
But...All that I am doing is to state the facts that society has changed and along with that the attitudes. Nobody is a fan of change, but change is the only thing that is guaranteed.
COYI
AZ won their weekend game 5~1
AZ won their weekend game 5~1 at home. Not gonna be easy on their turf
The interesting part of this
The interesting part of this story was that the AZ coach started the game with his strongest 11, went 5 nil up and then made wholesale changes as the game was safe by half time. Moyes is clueless and the thought of him in charge for another season, regardless of winning the Eurodisney Thursday night league, fills me and many West Ham supporters with dread!
I'll admit that I was one of
I'll admit that I was one of the few that didn't want Moyes replaced when all around were baying for blood. Even as recently as the narrow win over Southampton i was thinking this season has been more of a transition and acclimatising new players into the squad and next season would see a mindset change. but the Brentford result was appalling. With no real pressure he could have set them up to have a go but it's always contain and try and catch on the break. He's clearly not gonna change his approach and constantly ceding 65%+ possession to the opposition, even at home is just killing the players, physically and mentally and the atmosphere at the games must be turgid. I see no other option than to replace him. Be better if Sully sells, takes his catspaw with him and Moyes walks having won a trophy. That way we're on a high for the close season.
All great posts
Will Moyes try to defend our lead rather than go all out for the first goal on Thursday? Answers on a postcard
I know what I would like to
I know what I would like to see 65 and what will really happen are two different things! Moyes should set up to get an early goal and see them off. He knows AZ typically surrender possession and try to hit you on break but AZ know they have to change... its basically half time and they are 1 nil down!
Exactly mate
Go for the jugular,get another goal or 2 then defend ,prove us wrong Dino!! ;)
I must be the only west ham
I must be the only west ham fan thats views a win on Thursday as a bad omen ,imagine the glee on his moush, if we win the thing ,no getting rid of then , he'll negotiate a new 3 year deal and we will be stuck with him.i want him gone and if poss take this board with him .
It's silverware Burkie
43 long years without it & what a night it would be if we won the thing! I'm like you mate with regards to moyes & the board but we will never have a better chance if winning something COYI
Agree65
What are the chances of being in this position again!!
Exactly Dartford
A few weeks back was thinking of booking Prague mate but as usual it costs an arm & a leg,but apparently they're thinking of setting up a fan zone in Stratford,get through I'll be having some of that
Good call!
If we get through 65 that place will be bouncing!!!
Good call not booking the flights, I booked an apartment in Seville last year and the ferry to Santander! Cancelled the AirB&B but kept the ferry and took the Mrs for spin round northern Spain and France :o) Ferry was "interesting" plenty of drunk Rangers... I just kept thinking...Should have been us!!! :o(
Nice 1 Dartford
If they have a fan zone it will be unreal!
This has to be a shit or bust
This has to be a shit or bust moment for Moyes. But more importantly for the fans of this club.
Going back to the original observation about fans. I feel football has changed, and the way fans or the recent generation of fans, support their clubs has definitely changed.
There is no realism anymore. No patience, just instant success expected. Spend millions, expect silverware. The glory supporter mentality from the late 60's onwards will always exist. As has been the case with Liverpool, Man Utd, The Arse, Chelsea and now Man City. All born out of deciding to follow the team of the moment and so on.
Getting back to tomorrows game. Moyes cannot afford to be cautious as before we know it. It will be 2 2 on Ag. Then we will be playing catch up to the final whistle. Start strong get on the score sheet and build a lead and confidence. See how that goes before chucking on 11 goalkeepers with 20 mins to go. No guts no glory...COYI!!
agree BC
Go at them, 2-2 and its a different game. Lets see what we get in coaching terms.. Moyesasaurus or The Moyessiah, lets see, bring it on, COYI's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your right boogers ,but he's
Your right boogers ,but he's to set in his ways ,i saw the interview with bfs before the Leeds game with the geordies and it sounded sooo Moyes , if you cant win dont loose ,
I thought this con cup from
I thought this con cup from the beginning was a waste of time,and energy,but we have come this far,so might aswell win it now COYI!!!!!!
Agree Essex
Staying in the prem was the be all & end all,but now we are safe it would be unbelievable to lift the trophy! Won't be easy though if we get to the final but imo that depends on moyes tactics
absolutely Essex
Mad not to take in serious! It means Europe again next season, it maybe Micky Mouse but more than Chavski has to look forward too!!!
The worry for me
is Moyes could see that at the end of last weeks game you could see the stamina of the other team was flagging so I don’t want him too but I think Moyes will set up to defend until his standard seventieth minute hoping they tire again. If he does then than scares me because they where without their best two players who will be back for this game.
The whole thing worries me
The whole thing worries me with Moyes,we have had a real bad season,the league looks sorted now,and this crap cup has turned up in the end as a highlight,it is in Moyes hands to deliver this now,if he didnt realise hostility before,fuck this up old son,and you will see how some want you gone.
Agree fellas
This is his chance of a little bit of redemption tonight,mess it up & he will get some stick