One West Ham player has finally broken ranks and taken a clear dig at David Moyes – view. West Ham United parted ways with David Moyes earlier this summer, and replaced him with Julen Lopetegui.
As well as David Moyes did in charge of West Ham, he probably remained at the London Stadium for a year too long in the end.
The Scot infuriated the Hammers fans last season with his negative and extremely passive approach to the game.
He highlighted his footballing philosophy during his punditry work at the Euros, when his negative view on the game stood out like a sore thumb. The problem with Moyes’s playing style is that it requires results to make it acceptable. When the results stop, the poor quality of football becomes more highly scrutinised.
In the interest of balance, it cannot be denied that Moyes did a very good job on the whole during his time in charge at the London Stadium.
The 61-year-old Scot guided us to three consecutive European campaigns, and helped us win our first major trophy for 43 years!
However, what is football all about? Is it purely just a results business? Or do fans go to stadiums wishing to be entertained?
I think it actually should be a balanced mix of the two – something that Moyes never truly grasped during his time in charge of the Hammers…
West Ham player breaks rank and takes clear dig at David Moyes
When Moyes was in charge at the London Stadium, the players stuck by him when speaking to the media – unsurprisingly of course. However, that has all changed now that the Scot has left the club.
Freddie Potts discussed Lopetegui’s playing style, when speaking to WHUFC.com.
Potts said, “I want to be here this season and be a part of it. I love trying to get on the ball, and we have a Head Coach who likes to let his midfielders get on the ball as much as possible.”
That’s a clear and obvious swipe and Moyes’s approach to the game as far as I’m concerned. I love that from Potts. Lopetegui likes his team to build up play from the back, on through midfield and finally into the opposition’s penalty area.
It is a playing style that was totally alien to West Ham’s former manager.
Interestingly, director of football Tim Steidten took a back-handed swipe at Moyes a couple of weeks ago during Lopetegui’s unveiling.
As much as Moyes oversaw some real progress at the club, he definitely held us back during his final 12 months at the club.
There has been big change at the London Stadium, and I can see a very clear path towards a successful few years.
Lopetegui has been set a target of finishing inside the top six by Steidten and the board, but I think we all just need to be patient.
As long as there are clear signs of progress when it comes to our playing style and footballing identity, then I’ll be willing to give Lopetegui plenty of time.
We have to move on from the brand of football that sucked the life out of so many West Ham fans over the past year, and Freddie Potts’ comments on Lopetegui’s playing style highlight just how pleased the players were when the Spaniard replaced David Moyes.
