West Ham United's Struggle: Moyes' Future and the Desire for Change

Introduction

West Ham United is currently experiencing an eight-game winless streak, their longest since early 2020. This has led to their worst start to a calendar year in 17 years. The team's poor performance has raised questions about the future of head coach David Moyes, who returned to the club in late 2019. Despite the lack of success, Moyes has defended his tenure, highlighting the team's achievements in recent seasons.

West Ham's Recent Achievements

Under Moyes' leadership, West Ham achieved significant milestones. They won their first European trophy since 1965 in the 2020-21 season. Additionally, the team secured consecutive top-seven finishes in the Premier League for the first time in the club's history in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Evaluating West Ham's Strength

To assess West Ham's overall strength, the ClubElo rating system can be used. Despite their recent poor form, West Ham's Elo rating remains high, indicating that their current performance does not reflect their overall capabilities.

Style of Play

Moyes' coaching philosophy emphasizes a risk-averse, defend-first, and counter-attack strategy. This approach has allowed West Ham to achieve relative success, currently sitting in ninth place in the Premier League and advancing to the Europa League round of 16 as group winners.

The Importance of Style

While West Ham's style of play may not be as exciting as some other teams, it has proven effective. The team's counter-attacking threat and set-piece quality have resulted in higher-quality shooting opportunities. West Ham has also performed well against 'Big Six' sides, with five wins from 10 games this season.

Moyes' Success as a Manager

Moyes has a strong track record as a manager, with the best points-per-game average in West Ham's history. His previous teams, such as Everton, were known for their structure and organization. Moyes' focus on competing in a different way has allowed West Ham to punch above their weight.

The Desire for Change

Despite Moyes' success, there is a desire among some fans for a change in leadership. The club has attempted to evolve with different head coaches but ultimately returned to Moyes and his trusted system. The move to the London Stadium has also impacted perceptions of style, with the larger, quieter stadium favoring a more controlling style of play.

Balancing History and Expectations

West Ham faces the challenge of striking a balance between understanding their history and being realistic with their expectations. Moyes has raised the bar with his success, but the club still has room to grow. Other promoted teams, such as Brighton, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth, have evolved their tactical style to become possession-based and high-pressing.

Investing in the Future

West Ham has made significant investments in the team, spending more than most Premier League clubs since 2018-19. However, the club has struggled to integrate young talent from their academy into the first team. This lack of player development and the delayed appointment of a technical director have put West Ham behind other clubs in terms of nurturing young talent.

Conclusion

While West Ham has experienced success under Moyes, there is a desire for even greater achievements. The team's recent poor form has raised questions about Moyes' future as head coach. Ultimately, the club must find a balance between their history, expectations, and the need for continued growth and improvement.