Sam Allardyce has hit out after the negative comments aimed at David Moyes during his last season at West Ham United.
The Scot was often criticised for his defensive style of play, especially during the 2023/24 campaign, when only Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United conceded more Premier League goals than the Hammers.
Despite the constant analysis of his style, Moyes led the Irons to European glory for the first time in 43 years, lifting the Europa Conference League trophy during the 2022/23 campaign.
Speaking via the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast on Thursday (22 August), Allardyce said: “I’m always keen on West Ham, and I’m always keen on what the pundits say. The pundits have used this unbelievably terrible voice of ‘it’s the way you played’.
“I watched a lot of West Ham last season, and they all came out with this negative that Moyes didn’t play the ‘West Ham way’. If anything, he went too far the other way. Unlike him, he was leaving himself open to be counterattacked.”
Sam Allardyce defends David Moyes after West Ham United criticism
Many fans were disgusted by the treatment of Moyes in his final days at the London Stadium, especially when Julen Lopetegui was confirmed to be the man to take his role.
The 61-year-old had an unbelievable amount of success during his time in East London, bringing silverware back to the club, but his last season in charge was definitely one to forget.
The Hammers started the Premier League campaign so brightly, but after a huge dip in form and crashing out of the Europa League, a ninth-place finish was never going to be enough to save his job.
Lopetegui will still have a massive job on his hands to impress the passionate fanbase, with many eyebrows raised over his appointment earlier this summer.
While the end of Moyes’ time at the London Stadium ended on a sour note, he will forever be a respected figure among the fans, one that deserves the defence from others such as Allardyce.
