West Ham United went down 2-0 to champions Manchester City in their rearranged Premier League match on Wednesday evening, and after the game their fans were heavily critical of a senior figure at the club.
It wasn’t so much the result that angered Hammers’ supporters, but more their lack of intent to even look to win the game, instead choosing damage limitation and ultimately rolling over and having their tummies tickled.
Given that West Ham are in the relegation zone, many expected them to put up some sort of fight, particularly with a trip to champions elect Liverpool up next, but at no point in the evening was that the case.
If the Hammers stay up on goal difference at the end of the season then David Moyes may well have been justified with his tactics, but the travelling fans, and those watching on TV were not impressed by the way their side were set up.
Ultimately, goals from Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne condemned West Ham to their fate, and luckily for them their hosts never really went for the jugular, otherwise it could have been a truly awful night for the Londoners.
It is fair to say that Moyes has some way to go to win over the Hammers faithful. He wasn’t a popular choice to replace Manuel Pellegrini with many when the change happened in December, and even those who were in favour must be starting to wane.
Having failed at the London Stadium once, the former Everton and Manchester United manager has his work cut out to keep West Ham in the Premier League this season, although if fans have their way, he won’t get the chance to do so.
Many of those Hammers supporters were critical of his tactics when reflecting on the game on social media after the final whistle, leading to plenty to call for his head.
Here are some of their messages:
