West Ham’s biggest regret : David Moyes’ cast-off in form of his life West Ham’s biggest regret: Now that is a long list. I’ll have to be careful else this article could be one of those ‘I told you so’ pieces: David Moyes secured the clubs first trophy in 43 years of my unflagging support so I’ll never be able to dislike the guy: However, one piece of transfer business which the Scot undertook still makes me shake my head in disappointment.
Actually, it isn’t just the sale of Pablo Fornals that I find so disappointing: The young Spaniard, when he arrived, was on the fringes of the Spanish national side, a livewire attacking midfielder. Played in all sorts of roles by Moyes who clearly couldn’t coach him, Fornals never complained, embracing everything it mean to be a Hammer even when played as a left winger or left out completely, Pablo gave everything for the cause: His semi- final goal to send the club to Prague along with his rendition of ‘West Ham Are massive’ will live long in my memory.
Just a shame he never quite lived unto expectation: Being ‘Moyesed’ was the description applied to one who had his brilliance coached out of him and it certainly applied to Fornals.
So when I read ‘sportswitness.co.uk’‘s article about ‘Fornals finds his best form after West Ham exit – the battle to sign him well worth it’: I have mixed feelings. For the player, I’m really pleased. Nobody deserves success more than the irrepressible Pablo. For us, the West Ham fans who were denied the chance to see Fornals burst into life playing under a coach that brought out his best, I’m sad.
Former Hammers coach Manuel Pellegrini recognised the quality in Fornals and is now bringing the very best out of the midfielder at Real Betis: Goals, assists and MOTM performances. I didn’t see the game just last week but according to sport witness:
He bagged a ‘spectacular assist’ in that game with a super forward ball to Cedric Bakambu that he converted to put his side 1-0 up in the game. It was a demonstration of Fornals’ quality and further confirmation that the battle to get him from West Ham a year ago was well worth it.”
