West Ham fans and board must pick between possession or Prague in the great David Moyes debate

IT is make your mind up time at West Ham – in the stands and the boardroom.

David Moyes, the man who delivered the club’s first trophy in 43 years in June, is under pressure again after Sunday’s 6-0 mauling by Arsenal made it seven games without a win.

Alamy

Many match-going fans voted with their feet by leaving before half-time, with protests over the Scot’s pragmatic style of play increasing after their New Year’s slump in form.

Not long ago the Hammers were riding high after his tactics had delivered smash-and-grab wins over Manchester United and Arsenal.

A new contract was ready to be signed and many were celebrating another European charge.

Supporters, and more importantly the owners, have flip-flopped since.

Moyes in becomes Moyes out, the contract is on and then it is off again, to be reviewed at a later date. The can kicked down the road.

The lack of clarity is alarming and must be addressed.

David Sullivan is not someone who sacks managers lightly, though he came close at times last season. If he still trusts Moyes to continue at the London Stadium it must be made clear given the manager’s contract is up this summer.

The crucial question is: What do they want?

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Pretty football or points? Possession or Prague? The answer from fans will always be both, it is what everyone dreams of for their club.

The reality is different.

They cannot endlessly spend to chase perfection like the Big Six sides they are trying to push out of the European places. Someone has to ensure caution, missteps on the climb upwards can be fatal.

The last time West Ham’s owners followed what the fans wanted, Manuel Pellegrini arrived and dragged them into a relegation battle from which Moyes returned to save them.

It is a fact the former Everton boss is always keen to point out. But fans do not need reminding and do not want to live in the past, they want to look ahead.

With a squad which boasts Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and, when fit Lucas Paqueta, things should be getting better.

But a recent spate of injuries, absences and a botched end to the January window have turned a top six push into another East London crisis.

When Moyes’ football doesn’t work it can be hideous to watch, when it does there is a sadistic enjoyment from grabbing results from more progressive sides. It has delivered many memorable moments.

And there can be no doubting it has taken West Ham forward. The East Londoners were a point above the relegation zone when Moyes returned in December 2019.

There have been two top seven finishes, a Europa League semi-final and a European trophy since.

It is ridiculous to think that a manager who has delivered so much recent success has it all to prove again.

But after a run of games where he has hit out at the side for being weak and a mile away from what he wants, the next few games feel crucial.

Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Everton and Burnley offer the chance to change the narrative once again, as does their return to European action in early March – having topped their group for a third season in a row before Christmas.

But the most recent window has also left Moyes with one hand tied behind his back.

Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma were deemed surplus to requirements and allowed to leave right at the end of the window, but without a replacement.

Moyes has admitted concern about the lack of balance in his squad since, having made it clear he wanted a left winger even before letting one go.

Right-back Ben Johnson started at left wing against Arsenal, with forwards Danny Ings and Maxwel Cornet watching from the bench. Moyes cannot be happy with his options.

There have always been frustrations over his cautious approach to transfers, and there were again last month with the former Manchester United boss unsure any of the targets presented good value – irritating those around him.

But blame must also lie with the new technical director, Tim Steidten.

The German is yet to truly impress since moving to London. Many deals have been attributed to the work of others and if anything the feeling is Steidten and Moyes have worked against one another rather than with.

There have been suggestions that whoever stays this summer, the other could leave.

Whatever the fallout, West Ham fans want and deserve answers and a direction to get on board with and it now seems Moyes must show he can still be the future once more.