I’d never done this before, but while scrolling through my YouTube comments from yesterday’s review, a post from David Sullivan stood out. I decided to put it on C&H because David Sullivan’s frustrations are likely shared by many.
For many fans, the home game against Burnley was the tipping point, but for me, today’s 4-3 loss to Newcastle was it.
Today crystallized everything, not only why David Moyes must go, but also why the fans are correct to demand it. This manager is definitely holding our club behind, and it is no longer debatable, even in the mainstream media.
Moyes set up the team exactly the way we want to see them play and know they can play. As a result of that approach, we had a 3-1 lead and looked quite good. Then Moyes modified the tactics to what he preferred, and we lost 4–3. Could it be a coincidence? No, it’s simply happened too frequently to be dismissed as one.
So-called experts.
So-called ‘experts’ may respond, “Who are we to complain? We are only ‘fans.’ “What do we know?” But we watch every game and witness it for ourselves. We had Newcastle on the ropes at 3-1. Okay, we weren’t in complete control, and Newcastle remained a threat, but so did we. We had the players and the strategies to worry them. We had all of that, but then Moyes changed everything. He replaced Michail Antonio with Kalvin Phillips, which was a bad change, but there was also a tactical alteration. The shift forced us to become passive, sit back, low block, defend, and protect what we had—all with 30 minutes left in the game. The outcome was predetermined from that moment on. It’s like rereading the same book or seeing the same movie: you know how it ends.
We know this because, along from Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United, West Ham has the most goals conceded in the Premier League. We know this since we are unable to defend when forced to play passive low block. We can’t compete against a team that has momentum and a head of steam, which Moyes’ methods provide the opponent. Any opposition.
Unforgiveable cowardice.
Moyes’ actions today exemplified cowardice, submission, fear, and gutlessness of the highest order. He insulted both his players and the spectators. He did the football equivalent of high treason—an act that is just unacceptable and awful. From his decision to sign and play Phillips (which I believe the club did not approve of) to his disgraceful and irresponsible tactical approach, he has demonstrated beyond a doubt that he is a weight pulling this team down.
To sit in a press conference and claim that even at 1-3, “we were not in control of the game” is shockingly dumb beyond comprehension. Even if we believe that we weren’t (when we obviously were), it is his responsibility to put us in control. If his tactical adjustment was intended to put us in control, then its utter failure is his alone, and this cannot be hidden.
He also stated, “We collapsed.” No. WE DIDN’T. You did. Your changes alone caused the collapse, and the rest of us were pulled down with it. He stated that we done “some good and some bad things today.” ALL of the positive came from the team playing the way WE wanted them to play, and all of the bad happened once you reverted to your fear tactics.
I encourage you to forget about the VAR dispute today. Giving too much credit to that would divert attention away from Moyes’ terrible guilt. The media will provide him with a screen to hide behind, but fans cannot do the same.
Fans asking when will Sullivan have had enough?
Moyes has been exposed today as a timid coward. The emperor is naked, and everyone can see it. Will Sullivan see it? I doubt it. The blind are leading the blind. Two inept peas in a pod. In an ideal world, two chancers would have their days numbered. Unfortunately, football is not in an ideal world. It’s a world of storytelling, deception, sleight of hand, misdirection, and closed ranks.
Today may have been the day when enough was enough, the line in the sand. Even if it is, it will not matter. Not in the great scheme of things, since the story will go into overdrive, drowning out our voices and thoughts. The mechanism, controlled by mainstream media and the “old guard” club, will ensure that we are labeled as whiners, deluded, and neurotic simpletons incapable of comprehending the complexities of the beautiful game. How could basic working-class people be expected to appreciate the nuances of the beautiful game?
So the illusion goes on. We do see, however. We understand. We’re not fools. Today, David Moyes, you performed the most heinous thing in football. You fled away and gave up. You should hang your head in shame. Shame on you, sir. Shame on you.
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