Forum | Non-Football Related

When the team sheets became available ahead of the Irons game against Manchester United, the inclusion of Mark Noble in the starting line up came as a shock to most West Ham fans. Now hindsight is a wonderful, but eventually an ineffective influence on the final outcome of the 1-0 defeat against Man U, but on reflection David Moyes would admit, at least privately, that  starting with 'Nobes' was  probably the wrong decision, perhaps Noble's new contract took one of the most experienced Barclays Premier League managers' eyes off the ball temporarily.

Now we at the ORG know that criticising Mark Noble is akin to stamping on a puppy, or drink driving, but without claret and blue tinted spectacles on, 'Nobes's' performance was not up to the standard that he would have expected from himself.

Unfortunately the 'perfect storm' was set in motion initially because of Jesse Lingard's unavailability, which probably reduced the team's overall energy levels by around 10%, this had been anticipated, but to lose the 'duracell bunny' that is Pablo Fornals, just before the journey up North, was devastating.

Without Fornals, the team looked 'leggy', unfortunately Mark Noble was the prime example of which, and despite his undoubted efforts, he was 'caught short' on more occasions than he would like to remember. The combined loss of Linhgard and Fornals did actually illustrate, yet again, just how far Hammers are punching above their weight given the paucity of squad options available to David Moyes, bare bones? We're taking bread and water here! - Ed

Many Hammers fans have been questioning the 'wisdom' of allowing home grown talent Oladapo Afolayan's potential move to Bolton Wanderers on loan with an option to acquire the player on a free transfer at the beginning of next season. David Moyes alluded to the issue in his most recent comments regarding Hammers strikers, or the lack of them to be more precise. His own frustration with Odubeko’s situation, which is complicated by Covid bubble arrangements, is obvious.

“Do we sit young players on the bench and not give them game time? That’s where we’re at with how the fixtures are working out, the other real problem is the minute we put them out of the bubble we can’t put them back in. Our reserves play Liverpool (today) and we can’t then bring them back into the bubble. It’s a difficult situation for quite a lot of clubs. It’s not to do with not having enough players, I’d always like to give the young players a chance. But if I put them on the bench the reserves have no players and the players miss out on game time. “We’ve got Mipo on the bench because we need him, but he could do with game time.”

Deprived of the services of Jesse Lingard, who is on loan from his 'bad parent' club, for the game against Manchester United Moyes needs to have additional fire power up front, Afolayan's controversial appearance against Manchester United in the FA Cup is still fresh in many observer's minds as a result of him being brought on as a substitute, only to suffer the ignominy of then being subbed himself!

Moyes has had to 'juggle' things to such an extent that he could be a circus entertainer in another universe! Some might say he is in one of the biggest circuses on earth already! Man U tomorrow, followed by Le 'Arse' next week are two more season defining fixtures.

We at the Org have almost over used the 'seminal game' tag, but that is what all the remaining games of the season are, each one connects to the bigger picture, and ironically Hammers fate might well be decided by the results of other teams in addition to how many games David Moyes's men go on to win. Leicester, United, Chelsea and Everton all play each other as well as the Irons in the next few games, as a result the Barclays Premier League table could take on a whole new look, that is with the exception of top spot, which despite their recent 'blip' against Manchester's other team, is nailed on for City.

All the West Ham players can do is to try and get the best points return available, and to that purpose winning is at such a premium, that losing and winning can result in a better points ratio than just drawing game after game, despite the Kudos of keeping an opponent at bay. The next few games will see if Hammers fans can hear "wound my heart with a monotonous languor" and know it is a summons to the greatness of future achievements - Ed

Irrespective of what position West Ham United finally occupy in the Barclays Premier League, the need for an extensive re-build is acute, David Moyes began that process by ditching 'luxury players' like Felipe Anderson, who was sent on loan to Porto, and selling Sebastien Haller at a huge loss to Ajax.

The fiscal act of 'removing' the 'dead wood' from the squad is expensive, but the toxicity of the under performing players has been removed as well! Consequently David Moyes has a team that doesn't have, and will not tolerate, Prima Donnas in any way shape or form.

Having wielded the axe on Anderson and Haller, in addition to getting rid of Ajeti, Hugil and more controversially Grady Diangana, the manager will begin the next phase of the Moyes 2:0 development by moving on one or two high earners from the squad.

The obvious candidate for departure is Andriy Yarmolenko, hope of receiving ANY transfer fee for the Ukraine international has long been abandoned as he has entered in to the final year of his eye watering £115,000 per week contract! It is highly unlikely, especially in the current financial climate, that such a massive wage commitment will be made by the Irons, IRRESPECTIVE of who that player is.

Apart form continuing to 'trim' the wage bill, Moyes 2:0 needs to oversee the 'eventual' acquisition of replacements for the Og, AKA Angello Ogbonna, Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Big Mich Antonio. All these players have been fine servants for the club, but they are nearing their 'sell by' date, failing to have replacements lined up that are of equal ability will threaten to de-rail the progress the club has made under Moyes's management during his 2nd spell at the club.

There are rumours Moyes might have a £45 Million budget, but we would suggest holding your breath for that occurrence might end up requiring a visit to A&E, it is to be hoped however, that the club's hierarchy do their best to back David Moyes, he is the exact polar opposite of his predecessor Manuel Pellegri when it comes to spending money.

All the 'positive' attention the club is now receiving shouldn't serve as a distraction when it comes to future recruitment planning, that is essential if the club is ever to have a chance of reaching that legendary 'next level'. - Ed