Hang your head in shame David Moyes as what happened last night cuts West Ham really deep. David Moyes did so much for West Ham and the club will be forever grateful but it’s what he didn’t do that’s causing issues beyond his tenure. David Moyes still divides opinion among West Ham fans even to this day.
The Scot will hold a special place in Hammers history for what he did in five years over two spells.
But while some wanted him to stay on, far more were pleased when his Hammers reign was brought to an end in the summer. Moyes is undoubtedly West Ham’s most successful manager in generations.
The Scot saved the Irons from relegation in his first stint at the club. He did the same again when he returned for a second spell during the difficult circumstances presented by the pandemic.
West Ham then enjoyed a meteoric rise under Moyes winning a first trophy in 43 years, qualifying for Europe three seasons in a row and setting the club’s record Premier League points tally of 65 as they finished just one solitary win off a Champions League spot. Moyes was actually discreetly honoured by West Ham last weekend with an installation at the London Stadium.
But he was far from perfect. Hang your head in shame David Moyes. With power of veto on all transfers in his contract, Moyes left West Ham with the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.
Some of the deals he turned down are still haunting the Hammers too.
During his time at the club Moyes continually insisted there was a dearth of striker talent across the world. Sebastien Haller – who was not Moyes’ signing – was sold on by him at a £20m loss after just 18 months.
Gianluca Scamacca lasted one season after being signed for £35m. Moyes then gave up altogether on replacing him, insisting Jarrod Bowen could do a job up front.
Not if he wants to keep being picked for England he can’t.
Since Moyes’ departure West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has signed Niclas Fullkrug for £23.5m. Alan Shearer revealed Moyes admitted to him he snubbed Fullkrug when Steidten first arrived last summer and regretted it.
It’s not the only striker snub he – or the Hammers – have lived to regret either. Moyes should hang his head in shame as what happened last night cuts West Ham deep.
The Fullkrug signing has been a disaster so far.
After three substitute appearances, he has been out for six weeks injured. And there is no timeframe on his return with the German likely to be out for at least three months in total if not more. It leaves West Ham once again relying on ageing – and himself injury-prone – Michail Antonio.
But it should be so, so different.
What happened last night cuts West Ham deep
They say hindsight is a wonderful thing. Well in football it can be sickening.
Especially as West Ham showed plenty of foresight when they looked closely at Viktor Gyokeres last summer.
The Swede was heavily linked and widely expected to join West Ham as the perfect heir to Antonio. Especially after Coventry failed to get promoted in the play-off final.
Gyokeres even sent a come and get me plea to West Ham at one point. Moyes reportedly spent a lot of time looking into the all-action forward. But the Scot was unsure and ultimately decided he wasn’t up to it.
As West Ham dithered Sporting swooped, signing him for just £17.5m. That’s the same amount West Ham paid for flop Maxwel Cornet and £6m less than Fullkrug. To say Gyokeres has been a revelation and an absolute bargain is an understatement.
Moyes should be ashamed of that decision and the utterly poor judgement he showed.
Because Gyokeres cemented his place as THE best striker in world football overnight.
🚨🚨| GOAL: VIKTOR GYÖKERES HAS SCORED HIS FOURTH GOAL!!!
Sporting 4-1 Estrela da Amadora
pic.twitter.com/fhlfsUqTFD
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 1, 2024
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The former Hammers target hit four goals as Sporting beat Estrela da Amadora 5-1.
That brought his tally for the season to 25 goals and five assists in 20 games for club and country.
That’s to add to the 34 goals and 12 assists he got in all competitions for the Portuguese champions last season. Gyokeres’ fantastic four sealed his place as the top scorer in any top league on the planet.
