David Moyes is facing a crucial game tomorrow at Selhurst Park. Labelling the fixture as a ‘must-win’ might seem sensationalistic with a sprinkling of clickbait, but I truly believe it is. In many respects, West Ham are looking at their last opportunity to qualify for Europe this season, though we are reliant on others failings too. West Ham, currently eighth, still have to play Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Liverpool, Luton, and Manchester City. The Chelsea game feels particularly significant, but only if Moyes can secure wins against Palace, Luton, and possibly pull off a surprise result against one of the title chasers too. It’s been an amazing experience chasing European football for the past few seasons, and I’m grateful to Moyes for that. However, with a new rebuild on the horizon and Tim Steidten in place as director of football, it feels like the end of an era. The rhetoric from Moyes and his allies in the mainstream media also seems to have been ramped up to eleven over the past week. The messaging of ‘be careful what you wish for’ towards West Ham fans had certainly intensified in the build-up to the Europa League quarter-final. The cacophony of noise was so loud and with so many individuals saying the same thing that it seemed more than just coincidence. It felt like the propaganda of a man who knows he’s on the way out and was trying to justify his CV. Whilst Moyes has never been the most canny of media operators, he would often offer at least faint or damning praise to West Ham fans. However, during his last two media briefings, he’s been more bullish and in no mood to placate supporters. In short, I believe he’s past caring, and it’s something I’ve seen before. Roy Hodgson for England, Kenny Dalglish’s second stint at Liverpool, and Nigel Pearson at Leicester all had the look of angry, broken men before they departed.Moyes can turn it around, though. Were he to qualify for Europe again, then David Sullivan would be placed in a very difficult position. It’s going to be tough, though, and the Hammers need to start with a tricky game at Selhurst Park.
