West Ham United have found themselves being criticised after their performance against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
The Hammers ran out 2-1 winners against the Italian side last night, with Jarrod Bowen’s late striker securing the win and a European trophy for David Moyes and his team.
It proved to be a tense game of little quality throughout, and it seems two who were less than impressed by what they saw are analysts Pierre van Hooijdonk and Kenneth Pérez.
“If you have spent almost 200 million, and this is the football you play…,” said Van Hooijdonk.
“I know it’s a final, but we also saw them against AZ and AA Gent. For me, it’s about the intention. Even Fiorentina are at least trying to attack, to make something of it. But West Ham: it is thrown together by throwing many millions against it.
“Surely it all depends on appointing a trainer who has a plan. An innovative coach with a new way of playing football, Brighton is a good example. If you want to change things at West Ham, then you shouldn’t have David Moyes as coach.”
It now remains to be seen if Moyes does remain at West Ham beyond the summer following their success in Europe.
He had been under pressure this season despite their success in the Conference League, with the Hammers floating far too close to the Premier League’s relegation zone despite spending big last summer.
There have also been questions about the style of football, echoing the thoughts of Van Hooijdonk and Pérez in most parts.
Whether that has translated to the boardroom, and they feel like a change is necessary, is now up for debate, but there are some good points according to Pérez.
“We perhaps look at football too romantically or too tactically,” he added.
“This is not our way of playing football. But we cannot say anything other than that these guys, because that’s what they are, dyed-in-the-wool guys, but they are two substitutes from Chelsea and the third back from Paris Saint-Germain.
“But they are also professionals who are not playing to please anyone, but to win.”
