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Moyes' Road To Redemption

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Mon, 26/10/2020 - 14:00

It has taken him a long while, but West Ham manager David Moyes is finally starting to reach the managerial summit he achieved while manager of Everton, The Toffees consistently finished between fifth and eighth in the league under Moyes, and at the time of his departure, he was the longest-serving current manager in the league behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, at 11 years and 3 months.

He succeeded Ferguson as manager of Manchester United in June 2013, but with the club in seventh place in the league in April 2014 and unable to qualify for European competition, he was sacked after 10 months in the job. The stats look damning, however, the managers who have followed him have all failed to hit the heights achieved when Alex Ferguson was at the helm. Louis van Gaal, Moyes' replacement, achieved a win ratio of 52.43% and was given nearly two seasons in the job, Moyes achieved a ratio of 52.94% and wasn't even given a full season!

Looking for something different, Moyes spent an ill advised season at Real Sociadad, where the language proved to be an issue, most spaniards speak or at least understand english quite well, particularly footballers, the problem was that they could not understand what the Scot was saying because of what they saw as his 'thick' Scottish accent. He got given his marching orders and then returned to take over relegation certainties Sunderland, he left when their relegation was confirmed and then went in to 'Alan Curbishley land' for quite a while, things weren't too bad for the 57 year old though, because having been handed a five year deal by United he was entitled to 'gardening leave' payments for the entirety of the contract, with the exception of when he was gainfully employed.

Fast forward to Moyes replacing the very popular Slaven Billic following a grim season that looked to all intents and purposes as if relegation was a formality, Moyes restructured the team, gave Masuaku freedom to play and converted a winger in to a striker, sounds familiar? It should be, because he is using the same template now as when he first arrived on a temporary basis until that season's end, his reward for keeping the club up was a hefty bonus believed to be in the region of £1 Million, but he was then unceremoniously canned in favour of Manuel Pellegrini.

The Chilean 'mastermind' was seen as the man to take the team to the next level instead of the dour Scot, The 'Pellegrinophile' was indulged to a ludicrous level in the transfer market, having funding placed at his disposal that David Moyes could only have dreamt about. Of course it all went 'tits up' and Moyes was brought back yet again to rescue the club from almost certain relegation, he did so with aplomb and was consequently offered a new contract to stay on as manager for a full season.

Having had their fingers savagely burned by Pellegrini, the Board were initially reluctant to see Moyes as anything other than a short term solution, but Moyes insisted on not only being given a full year's contract, but also the guarantee of a second season should certain criteria be met.

Starting the new season from scratch' has given Moyes the opportunity to stamp his own brand of authority and style of play on the team, his achievements so far this season have been nothing short of miraculous given the paltry transfer budget he was given and the intimidating early run of fixtures which threatened to see the club rooted to the Barclays Premier League basement.

Of course it is early doors yet, but Moyes seems to be in a 'happy' place at the moment and his team along with his coaching staff are buying in to his vision, long may it last, it's been along time but Moyes' road to redemption may well finally have a happy ending. - Ed

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Bill Richards's picture

David Moyes has successfully applied the SIEGE approach for West Ham to obtain success in the premier league this season. First of all he sets up shop to close any opportunities for the enemy to invade his territory - to ensure serious defence of their target to prevent any meaningful invasive intrusion. Appoint a leader to control and direct the defence and instruct his attackers to seize any opportunity to counter attack. Then use the skilled and powerful marauders to attack the enemy’s depleted outstretched defences. Every opportunity to use set pieces to take advantage of the teams special attacking attributes is then used to win the battle!

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18 users have voted.

I think you would rather look at the Missus than me!

Anyone who first took over from Sir Alex was on a hiding to none,and it just happened to be Moyes,and yet he still wasnt given a full season there,Sunderland had nothing going for them,which is plain to see now where they are,I think with the time we will get better under Moyes,its started now already.Time,backing and support,i feel he could do with us what he did with Everton.

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16 users have voted.
Dartford Bhoy's picture

Spot on Essex re Man U, that was a serious poisoned chalice. In fact, at that time, there was only one person capable and that was Mourinho and he eventually got the job when the damage was irreparable IMO. Im delighted for Ol Bug Eyes, I think he is typical of what we need but will need board backing and that I just dont see.

In Soucek he has found his Fellani!

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14 users have voted.

Hes brought stability & an entertaining hard working team.christ when was the last manager to give us that?johnny lyall I reckon

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17 users have voted.

Your right mate,it was a bloody shame too,if we had stayed at Upton Park,i reckon we would of progressed under Slav,i liked him.

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14 users have voted.

I wish I could share yeer confidence, I feel Ant being out will not only put at risk our goal tally but will also threaten team moral .

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20 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

He does not have us fart arsing around in our own box with silly and to my mind pointless passing...gk gets the ball kick it upfield ahhh the good old days

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15 users have voted.
Mr Green St's picture

For the first time in years, I feel that we finally have a manager that is a perfect fit for our club. Respected, Knowledgeable and a Disciplinarian who has put the pride back into wearing the shirt with the players prepared to give their all on the pitch.
We all have hope once again, looking forward to games instead of fearing them. Yes, it's Amazing to see the team going out there, beating teams we didn't expect to beat and holding our own against teams we expected to lose against... Long may it continue COYI

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20 users have voted.

We look good and I agree Moyes has reverted to a more older style of football where a quick longball over the top and counter attack when its on is working otherwise its a more acurate passing game which we have failed at in the past but are much better now but not a prolonged boring one which puts fans off.
However I just hope Benrahma can take over from Antonio (who looks to be out for a while). Haller to me is not and never will be able to play a forward role at pace but unfortunately will be used as a sub until we have no other option for a striker.

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17 users have voted.

A D Bonds

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