West Ham fans have been quick to react on the subject of David Moyes as Everton’s struggles are laid bare — and it seems everyone is saying the same thing.
If evidence was ever needed of just how massive a figure David Moyes is in West Ham’s modern history, it is the fact he continues to be a hot topic of conversation 18 months after leaving the club.
Moyes brings up a year back at Everton in January, yet he still drives debate and splits opinion in east London.
That’s despite West Ham being on their third manager since the Scot’s departure in May last year.
With Nuno Espirito Santo following on from Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui in such a short space of time, it points to how well Moyes did at West Ham to stay at the helm for nearly five years in his second spell.
Great West Ham Moyes debate reignites amid Everton struggles
The jury is still out as to whether Moyes will reach a similar milestone in his second stint as Everton boss.
He oversaw a memorable 11-year period first time around with the Toffees.
However, such longevity has become increasingly rare in the modern game.
There are some West Ham fans who feel Moyes should have been retained to threaten that kind of length of service in east London.
Some Hammers supporters believed the time had come for a parting of ways with the ex Man United boss.
Others thought he had earned a long-term contract over the course of his work at the London Stadium.
Those who wanted change felt the club needed to move on to a more modern, progressive manager.
Hammers fans were warned to ‘be careful what you wish for’ when Moyes left.
Those words have been like nails on a chalkboard to many West Ham fans, who point to Moyes’ dismal record in his last six months as proof it was time for something new.
The fact David Sullivan and the West Ham board have made a string of poor choices to succeed him – along with giving Tim Steidten £155m to spend – is not the fault of the club’s supporters.
Being told to ‘be careful what you wish for’ has been particularly difficult to hear from Everton fans who have often goaded the Hammers too since Moyes returned and led them into their new stadium on an upward curve.
Moyes recently opened up fully on his West Ham exit for the first time, saying he felt it would be his last job but that it was time to move on for all concerned.
West Ham fans are all saying the same thing about Moyes
It looked to have given some much-needed closure to the great Moyes debate.
But the former Hammers boss is once again the subject of debate among supporters as results elsewhere reignite the discussion.
And many West Ham fans are all saying the same thing about Moyes as his Everton struggles are laid bare.
It has not escaped the attentions of suffering Hammers fans that Moyes’ progress back with the Toffees has hit some turbulence.
Some Blues fans have started questioning his team selections and tactics not to mention the way he is drip-feeding some new signings into the team.
That was something that used to drive Hammers fans crazy too.
Most damning of all, though, is the fact Everton have now won just one game in their last seven in all competitions.
That included of course drawing at home with one of the worst West Ham sides of the Premier League era.
Many Everton fans have been bemoaning recruitment, team selection, tactics and Moyes’ approach amid the sticky run of form.
Some on social media such as X have even labelled the ex Hammers boss a ‘dinosaur like Sean Dyche’.
Now Toffees supporters are having a little bit of a taste of their own medicine from east London.
‘Be careful what you wish for’ Hammers fans tell Evertonians
Big Everton X account EFC Daily posted the fact the team has won just one of their last seven games alongside a picture of Moyes.
And there were just as many West Ham fans in the comments than Toffees.
Some of the comments, as you would expect with social media, range from considered takes on the situation to the slightly more emotional and harsh.
One West Ham fan said they feel Everton’s pain having to ‘suffer’ a second spell of Moyes.
“I feel your pain lads. West Ham and Everton have both had to tolerate two spells of Moyes, a spell of Allardyce and while you have had Dyche, I raise you one Avram Grant. Two massive clubs who have been run into the ground by pathetic owners!”
Toffees fan Nick Ellis chimed in saying he does not feel it is working under Moyes second time around.
“Regardless of signings, Moyes had a poor pre season, by his standards, has hit serious bad form since Wolves, and isn’t coming up with the ideas and play to change approaches or win games. It’s definitely not working.”
Another Evertonian said he feels the team is going backwards under the Scot, saying: “Regressed after spending another £150 million on players who aren’t ready. All on Moyes.”
Another West Ham fan says letting Moyes go wasn’t the big mistake and believes he is proving that now with his recent struggles at Everton.
“Letting David Moyes go wasn’t a mistake,” The Boleyn Boys said.
“Hiring three out-of-contract managers was. Difference. BOYCOTT the LS.”
Another Hammer warned Everton fans to be careful what they wish for.
“Dear Everton Fans, Learn from our pain. Don’t make the same mistake we did. Yours sincerely, A West Ham fan, forever disillusioned yet eternally hopeful.”
A fellow West Ham fan disagreed, though, saying just because Moyes was successful in east London doesn’t mean he should have stayed.
“Imagine thinking getting rid of Moyes as West Ham manager was a mistake,” Hammers fan Leon said.
“Just because you have success doesn’t mean you have to continue. We hardly won a game towards the end of his tenure and were getting hit for five against palace and Fulham and six at home to Arsenal so yes change was right.”
With more than a slight hint of sarcasm, West Ham fan Gary Prince also warned Everton to ‘be careful what they wish for’.
“Careful what you wish for, be grateful and never want anything better. Look what happened to us!” he said.
An Everton fan echoed criticism from West Ham fans about Moyes’ tactics and thinks the Toffees will end up battling to stay up this season.
He said: “Dinosaur tactics like Dyche, let’s stop wasting time, we will still end up at the bottom of the table fighting for our survival.”
Another Toffee feels Moyes’ problems all stem from playing a second string side in the League Cup defeat to Wolves.
Final word to a West Ham fan who says Moyes’ struggles prove they were right all along.
“West Ham fans weren’t so crazy after all,” he said.
