RA MEDIA

The Sweeney Squad and the bunch of Blaggers! Published 28/04/18 on Irons United

The game against Manchester City at the London Stadium will be a pivotal moment in the West Ham career of David Moyes and of those players who have vastly underperformed for this season. Whilst many fans would already believe the deal has been sealed for Moyes to stay in charge, they would also wish it just wasn’t so.

The style of football has become narrow minded with its defensive flavourings and any adventure and optimism would appear to have set sail off to foreign lands…perhaps the much maligned Payet took it with him?

The question that remains is one that would address this gap in the make up of the club right now, but nobody really wants to hear the answer! Every fan acknowledges that the squad has been misfiring for two seasons which has led to inconsistency and poor form from individual players, and most would agree that the summer transfer dealings will ultimately determine the success of the next campaign, however can Moyes really be the man to bring attacking and entertaining football to the claret and blue masses?

With much pressure upon his shoulders. Moyes has narrowly achieved safety in the league for the season….almost! He has made the grade which was the minimum pass mark but now he must look to get the gold star and be the teacher’s pet, if he is to win the hearts and minds of the support…otherwise he will be burdened with malignant dissension at his first failing.

He will go head to head with Pep Guardiola tomorrow and whilst it is hoped that many of their players will already be psychologically spent as they have nothing more to play for this season…apart from pride…it will be a tumultuous test of nerve and resilience to keep the hounds of hell at bay and escape with a victory…or even a draw.

Whilst the result is all important, most fans would not be surprised with a defeat, however it is the manner of the performance that will be the final gauge for both manager and players. There cannot be a capitulation that would allow the floodgates to open and would embarrass Adrian in his return to goalkeeping duties. There must not be an apathetic display in midfield that would let their stars run riot and steal the show! There has to be a coordinated approach that is mighty at the back but adventurous in midfield and potent in attack!

All fans will expect Moyes to start defensively, however he has the opportunity to surprise the opposition, as they will also be banking on a defensive posture too. If he is able to be fiercely ambitious with the counter attacking plays, have able and willing runners from midfield to support  a front pairing that would put pressure on their untested defence…then fortune may truly favour the brave. However…is this merely wishful thinking or can Moyes surprise all Hammers fans with a shift in perspectives?

Of course, Manchester City are a wonderfully entertaining team to watch and Pep Guardiola has made his mammoth spends pay off, however he demands that his players are always on the front foot and take the game to their opponents. Yes, it certainly makes life easier when there is a Silva, De Bruyne or Aguero in the starting ranks, however it is his ambitious desire for attacking and entertaining football that makes it fully laudable and totally footballing magic…if only West Ham had a manger who could approach the game in a similar manner?

One has to question whether Moyes is the kind of manager who would allow such adventurous play, even if he had the right quality of players at his disposal? Most would wager not, but that doesn’t mean that he couldn’t improve the quality and spirit of the West Ham game next season if he was given the opportunity to do so. Unlike Allardyce who would usually appear to scoff at the notion of total football or entertainment as a right for all football fans. 

With ‘Big Sam’, one had the impression that regardless of the quality of his players, his game would always be one dimensional, traditional and outdated…perhaps Moyes is similar…perhaps he is of the same Jurassic make up, but still there is more hope that Moyes might one day stretch his wings like a pterodactyl as opposed to a lumbering brontosaurus in Allardyce who would be rooted to the dirt.

Moyes will be the sheriff faced with a barrage of attacking intent to steal the souls of the West Ham players…and he will need to charge his deputies to stand firm and strike like a cobra at an unsuspecting Guardiola. It is as much about talent as it is about confidence and a steely determination to prove others wrong that will win the day. On paper, Moyes has a squad that can challenge and can foil the robbers at the gate, who have stolen the Premier League gold…but he must be the Jack Regan and Noble can be his George Carter. They can be the Sweeney…the thief takers…the flying squad and go for the result…and bag a bunch of blaggers!