I have been going back and forth with the idea of writing this article as not to appear negative or emotive as we have a new regime I.e. Lopetegui and Steidten. However, I cannot help to think that we wasted a year of progress or potential league position sticking with a manager whom I’m sure most would admit had taken us as far as he could. Albeit a limited manager I would be the first to acknowledge in recent times Moyes has taken some of our younger supporters to the dizzy heights of semifinals and finals in European competitions. However, there is a lot of us that have been around a while and struggled with the football deployed by Moyes week in and week out. While there has been some success, I found myself in moments of nostalgia thinking about the 1985-86 team with Cottee and McAvennie. Or in more recent times, Pardew’s FA cup finalists and of course the memorable last season at our beloved Upton Park (oh how I loved that season). You may be thinking well Moyes is gone so ‘what’s this all about’? well I’m just setting the context. At the end of last season my son and I had a debate where I stated we cannot sell number 41 and keep Moyes as the two things together won’t go well. And here we are in 2024 heading into a new season with a new manager, a new philosophy and all the excitement surround it starting to fade and die (pardon the punt). Steidten played a blinder in waiting it out (Moyes leaving) and holding onto the funds from the sale of number 41, but one can’t help to think, had we would have gone in a different direction last summer and with the money to spend, we would be a lot further along in our project like Newcastle, Villa and I daresay Arsenal. So, we find ourselves with an aging squad, players that are just not up to the task of adjusting to the new way of playing and teams trying to pull or pants down as they know we have some money to spend. I remain optimistic and can’t wait to watch the new style with some new players, but the next few weeks in the transfer market will be crucial.
Come on you Rip-Roaring Goal Scoring Irons
Article by Dominic B