Could David Moyes do the unthinkable at West Ham before the end of the season after a twist amid fervent speculation.
It may not be something which jumps out on his CV but one of David Moyes’ biggest achievements has been bringing stability to West Ham.
The Hammers have been a bit of a basket case of a club at times over the last two decades.
It’s not unusual for West Ham to lurch from one crisis to another.
The club was likened to a circus by fans who wanted the owners out a few years ago.
A groundswell of opinion that saw several protests and even a pitch invasion to make the point.
All that has been forgotten in recent years thanks to the superb job Moyes has done with West Ham.
He pulled the club up by its bootstraps, restored pride and professionalism and got Hammers fans dreaming again.
Indeed some dreams have even been realised thanks to a first major trophy for 43 years.
Is there a plot twist for Moyes and West Ham?
All good things come to an end, though. And four wins in 21 games this year suggests Moyes is something of a busted flush at West Ham.
With grumblings over the style of play, the near disastrous Premier League campaign of last season and a contract which expires at the end of this, it now looks like the end of the Moyes era at the London Stadium.
A number of managers have been linked as his replacement. Some even interviewed after the talks with Ruben Amorim and allegedly Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham’s hierarchy continue to insist no decision will be taken on Moyes until the end of the season.
Many feel West Ham’s season was actually ended in that 5-2 defeat at Palace.
If not the defeat to Fulham beforehand or the ridiculous surrender at Newcastle last month.
There is a suggestion now that the only way Moyes could possibly end up staying at West Ham is if he somehow rallies the team to qualify for Europe in the last four games.
Could Moyes do the unthinkable before the end of the season?
So could Moyes do the unthinkable at West Ham before the end of the season after a twist?
Following the Palace humbling West Ham’s hopes of a seventh place finish – and a fourth consecutive European qualification – looked dead.
All the teams around the eighth-placed Hammers had two games in hand.
But results have gone in West Ham’s favour this week.
Newcastle lost to Palace last night while Chelsea lost heavily to Arsenal.
Brighton play Man City tonight and have a difficult run in.
Not only that but Liverpool have been deflated after blowing their title chances with defeat at Everton ahead of their tight turnaround to play West Ham on Saturday.
It means West Ham remain eighth and their rivals for a European place have one less game in hand.
With the game kicking off at 12.30pm on Saturday, an unlikely win over Liverpool would put West Ham above Newcastle in seventh – applying plenty of pressure.
Tall order but stranger things have happened
Wishful thinking perhaps. But if Moyes can somehow get three wins – and possibly a draw – from Liverpool, box of frogs Chelsea, Luton and Man City West Ham will likely qualify for Europe.
And who knows, Man City may already have the title wrapped up and be preparing for the FA Cup final by the time West Ham go to the Etihad on May 19th.
It’s a massive ask of course.
But if Moyes manages it and West Ham end on 58 points or more they could well be playing European football again next season.
That in turn may change the plan regarding the Scot’s contract situation.
And if not then it will certainly make West Ham a more attractive proposition for his potential replacement. Not to mention players the club want to sign in the summer.
