Forum | General Discussion

David Moyes's managerial contract was always up for 'review' at the end of the season, and nothing has changed in that respect. It is common knowledge that was a clause added to his contract on his return to the London Stadium which was 'place dependent', essentially if the club finished eighth or above he would have to be offered a one year extension to his tenure.

Obviously Moyes has far exceeded his points target already, so renewing his deal is simple, isn't it? Moyes was unceremoniously 'dumped' by the club after he had saved it from relegation the FIRST time, he was ditched to make way for Manuel Pellegrini, who the club lavished vast amounts of money on, in an attempt at reaching the Champions League.

The irony would not have been lost on Moyes as he was re-appointed in order to rescue the club from relegation for the SECOND time, and to try and rectify the damage caused by his predecessor. Moyes has proved to be better than anyone dared hope for on his return, he has the same swagger about him now as once had when he was the manager of Everton.

All the well-deserved accolades, including winning the London football award for best manager, are wonderful, however there is a certain amount of insecurity building up ahead of Moyes extending his contract. Because as a result of the club's quite surreal change from relegation fodder to Champions League contenders, Moyes has become hot property.

His name was in the frame for the Celtic managerial vacancy, but more recently he has been 'whispered' about by several clubs, humorously one of them being none other than dear old 'Tottingham'. Laughing aside, Moyes's stock has risen significantly and it is no surprise that he has 'become of interest' to other clubs.

Certain assurances discussed in principal on Moyes's return will now have to be turned in to reality, otherwise he could well be 'poached' by clubs that CAN offer him the necessary resources, even in these Covid-19 fiscally affected times. Moyes has proved 99% of the doubters wrong, and has finally started to be seen as the manager he is, a builder and a motivator. If GSB mess up the renewal of his contract, they might as well order themselves a taxi! - Ed

The 'wheels of hope' are in full swing as 'positive' news is emerging as to the fitness and availability for players who have been sorely missed in recent games that have seen Hammers push for Europe falter. Aaron Cresswell and Authur Masuaku are looking nailed on for the next crucial game, against Burnley on the 1st of May, the Clarets having just dismantled Wolves by 4-0 at Molineaux.

Craig Dawson returns after his one match ban, and Fabian Balbuena's ludicrous red card, incorrectly awarded during the defeat to Chelsea will undoubtedly be rescinded, as the club have already launched their appeal, if that fails apparently the 'General' has offered to have his leg removed to avoid a similar situation occurring again!

Promising news regarding Declan Rice's recovery from the injury he picked up on International duty has further increased the feel good factor, as there is at least a fifty fifty chance that the best midfielder in Europe will be available, if not for the Burnley game, then definitely for the game against Everton.

All this 'positive vibing' is however compromised by the 'Elephant in the Room', or more accurately the 'Hamstrings in the Room'! Comments regarding Michail Antonio's recovery from injury are conspicuous by their absence, the Hammers striker seems to have disappeared without a trace, his parking space at the club's 'goose green' training ground remains empty, leading to some people thinking he has been kidnapped by members of the 'septic six' in order to permanently derail Hammers unlikely challenge for Europe!

The extra three days of recovery time, courtesy of the TV broadcasters, afforded to David Moyes and his team, has been just what the doctor ordered, three days of 'Pearce & Love' will do the players the world of good, and hopefully the team can come out firing on all cylinders, but it might only be on six, as opposed to the full fat V8 that the team has when 'Big Mich' is playing.

The lack of a replacement for the great sulk that was Sebastien Haller, has come back to haunt David Moyes, without knowing all the ins and outs of the situation, it is easy to lay the blame at the manager's feet, but as well know, the murky side of football is not always revealed until after the event, as has been seen by the machinations of the  'dirty dozen and the septic six'.

If, and it is a big if, Michail Antonio can be patched up enough, then he has to play, his unique style of play 'discombobulates' the opposition to such an extent that errors creep in to their play leaving spaces for Hammers full energy attack to get in on goal...if ever there was a case for a short series of a cortisone treatment, then this is surely the time to deploy it. The consequences of 'cortisone abuse' can be far reaching, but Ant will have the entire summer to get fit and well again, and possibly do some work on his approach to games in order to offset the damage to his hamstrings, or at least limit it.

it has been all hands to the pumps for several weeks, at least the team will start to vaguely resemble the one that blew other teams away earlier in the season. Five games remain that will define whether the club can equal it's best ever season, whatever happens it's been a hell of a ride, pass the heart pills will someone please! - Ed

West Ham: Fabiański, Diop, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Coufal, Noble (c), Souček, Fredericks, Fornals, Lingard, Bowen Subs: Randolph (GK), Trott (GK), Johnson, Alves, Coventry, Lanzini, Benrahma, Yarmolenko, Odubeko
Chelsea: Mendy, Rüdiger, Silva, Christensen, Azpilicueta (c), Kanté, Jorginho, Chilwell, Mount, Pulisic, Werner Subs: Arrizabalaga (GK), Alonso, Zouma, James, Gilmour, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz, Ziyech, Abraham

Hammers face up to Chelsea on Saturday for a game that could have far-reaching implications for both clubs, Champions League qualification is the holy grail awaiting the winners of the tie, defeat might condemn the losers to 'Europa League' ignominy.

One player who seems destined not to be part of the proceedings is Tammy Abraham, the Chelsea striker has been 'frozen out' of their first team since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager. Tuchel has made it clear that Abraham does not feature in his plans, leaving the 23 year old striker in 'no man's land'.

Abraham's omission from the Chelsea first team has seen him lose his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, just when he really wanted to be included for this summer's Euro competition. At 23 Abraham has his best years ahead of him, but bench warming is not something that sits well with him, consequently he will be handing in a written transfer request if there is no possibility of him featuring regularly for the West London club.

Hammers are 'screaming out' for a 'proper' centre forward, and Abraham ticks all the boxes, fast, athletic, clever and unselfish. He would be a perfect fit at the London Stadium, and another player who would arrive with a point to prove, he will have looked at Jesse Lingard's 'surprise' inclusion in the England squad, and thought I'll have some of that!

So long as Chelsea don't try and ask ridiculous money, his acquisition is a no brainer. Apart from Abraham's qualities as a player, he is also a very decent human being with great awareness of what is going on around him, how do we know? Because this writer, during his 'five year sentence' as an intervention tutor, knew him and his younger brother when they were students, and I can confirm he is a thoroughly decent young man.

Apart from the 'Czech Mates', Hammers success in recruiting has been based on young, hungry players with a point to prove, or quality older players, all UK based. Building a team with a British core seems even more pertinent given the recent shenanigans of the 'European 'Sucker' Cup'. - Ed