One of the worst quotes I’ve ever heard from a West Ham manager was when Big Sam Allardyce remarked, “The West Ham Way, what’s that? Losing?” Whilst not quite as crass as his suggestion on the anniversary of Bobby Moore’s passing that he always considered Moore a Fulham player, it was still a calculated jab intended to insult.
Big Sam knew exactly what he was saying and was purposefully inflammatory. Unfortunately, former Hammers gaffer David Moyes seems to be at it again too, which is quite disappointing.
West Ham have moved on since the former gaffers departure, and only time will tell if parting ways with Moyes was the right decision. Yet, he just can’t seem to let it go.
In his latest criticism, Moyes has taken a swipe at the club’s history whilst patting himself on the back with selective recollections. It’s clear that Moyes is bitter and resentful about his treatment at West Ham, but he seems to forget the considerable support he received. I’ve witnessed numerous occasions where fans chanted his name and sang songs about ‘Super David Moyes’ so for him to suggest fans didn’t support him not an accurate depiction.
Moyes received plenty of adulation from West Ham fans
Moyes also seems to constantly overlook the significant financial, personal, and professional backing he received at West Ham, which surpassed anything he experienced at Everton, Manchester United, or Sunderland. Over his two stints as West Ham manager, Moyes spent nearly £500 million, which helped him secure the only trophy of his career. Therefore, whilst Moyes was good for West Ham, the club was also good for him.
It’s important to remember that the version of David Moyes who arrived at West Ham was already struggling reputationally from his time in Spain and his stint at Sunderland. Unfortunately, the Scotsman seems to view his time at the London Stadium as a one-way transaction, as evidenced from his comments to Simon Jordan: “I’ve been the manager and I couldn’t tell you what the ‘West Ham Way’ is; I don’t think anyone can.”
“Sir Alex was telling me a story about John Lyall and he asked what the West Ham Way was, and nobody seemed to know. I don’t know either. Obviously, they’re referring back to Bobby Moore and that era, but things have moved on greatly.
“I don’t ever seem to remember West Ham ever qualifying for Europe regularly or enjoying the success of the last three years”.
Whilst Moyes does have a point, he’s being selective in his reasoning. For the vast majority of West Ham’s history, European places were not warded to teams in 7th position. So whilst he is correct in his assertion that three years consecutive European competition is to be applauded, it’s far easier now to achieve now.
His comments also don’t take into account the times when England was banned from European competition and when only the top two teams and cup winners qualified for Europe.
Moyes continued, “I think there’s a big thing about style at the moment, but I feel as if I’m having to defend myself. I’m interested in attacking, but I’m also interested in making sure I don’t allow other teams to score goals because that’s part of the game too.”
“We beat Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of December, and the club offered me a 2-year contract, but I was delaying because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay. There was a group that was under-appreciating what I was doing at West Ham!”
It’s ironic that Moyes talks about football ‘moving on greatly’ when he himself seems unable to move on. The West Ham Way is a straightforward concept—innovative at the time, focusing on quick, attacking play with academy players. David Moyes knew this but was either unable or unwilling to implement it. Dismissing our history while feigning ignorance was a cheap move, more in line with Allardyce.
Selective memories? Moyes seems aligned with Allardyce
Regarding Moyes’ comment about ensuring other teams didn’t score goals, it would have been more appropriate if this observation hadn’t followed a season where West Ham conceded a record number of goals.
It’s a shame that my old friend and website founder, Hughie, who was a friend and ghost-writer for Bobby Moore, is no longer with us. He would have had some rebuttals of his own to address Moyes’ remarks.
