West Ham United are staring down the barrel of relegation from the Premier League, and responsibility for their plight lies squarely with the club's ownership. Now, in an ironic twist, they need a favour from former manager David Moyes, who now manages Everton.
Fans Blameless as West Ham Slide Towards the Drop
The crowd at the London Stadium was fantastic. You would never have known West Ham are on the brink of relegation and an impending financial disaster. The supporters were loud, proud, and really got behind a team which gave everything and came so close to snatching something from Premier League leaders Arsenal. Ultimately, it was not to be, and now West Ham have two games to save themselves: at Newcastle and then against Leeds on the final day. They then hope Tottenham slip up in their run-in.
It is a straight fight between West Ham and Tottenham now. The only two teams that can go down. Incredibly, Everton boss David Moyes, the former West Ham boss, might be able to do his old club a favour because the Toffees go to Spurs on the final day.
Irony of Moyes' Potential Rescue Act
What an irony that would be. The manager who gave West Ham one of their finest hours—the Europa Conference League trophy—saving them again. He performed several rescue missions to keep West Ham up in the past. And you can be sure that even if Everton cannot do West Ham a favour, there will be plenty of people saying: 'told you so. Should have stuck with Moyes.' Yes, they probably should. Moyes is a brilliant manager. And West Ham should have spent the proceeds from the £105 million sale of Declan Rice better.
The owners should take the blame. What an absolute car crash the club has become. Badly run, sinking fast, and Karren Brady even jumped ship before the end. Let's not take any more lectures from her about football, please.
Nuno Espirito Santo's Efforts
Nuno Espirito Santo has given it a good go. He has actually improved their home form, made them better to watch, and harder to beat. I thought he was a pragmatist of a manager, but he has been better than that. But you can be sure there will be a lot of soul searching from the outside and a lot of people ready to knock West Ham fans and their craving for good football. Playing the West Ham way. That is what probably did for Moyes in the end.
But should they apologise for wanting to be entertained and wanting good football? Absolutely not. I think it is absolutely brilliant that a set of fans wants good football, sees it as a huge part of the club's identity, and takes pride from that.
Key Players at Risk
Jarrod Bowen is a terrific player. One of West Ham's best. He wears his heart on his sleeve and typifies this team. He is attacking, always looks forward, and must go to the World Cup. He is one of the players they will surely lose if they go down. Mateus Fernandes will be another. They will have to have a fire sale to survive.
But don't blame the fans for that. Don't blame a set of fans who are as passionate and brilliant as they come. Blame the hierarchy, the people in charge, the people who have run one of English football's greatest clubs into the ground.
Fighting Spirit Remains
West Ham are showing spirit and a fight to survive. It's not unthinkable they can stay up. It would have been had Tottenham beaten Leeds on Monday night. But Spurs slipped. West Ham might just take advantage. They are going down fighting and sticking to their footballing principles. And in an age where football has become more like a wrestling match, that is something they should be very proud of.
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