BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
In this week’s crucial match against Freiburg, West Ham and David Moyes could not have needed the support of the supporters more from the start.
When West Ham falters, it’s far too simple to blame the supporters.
Yes, Hammers fans have the right to be picky. However, their requests are not particularly noteworthy.
Supporters of West Ham United want to see their team attack the opposition, be physical and, to use old school terminology, ‘give it a right go’.
In the draw with Burnley, we witnessed both sides of the West Ham coin under David Moyes.
The team was trailing 2-0 at the half and was jeered off due to the negative, risk-averse strategy that so annoys spectators.
Calling forth the soul of Sevilla
Supporters were right behind the Hammers in the second half as they played with a front-footed, at times almost gung-ho, attacking intensity that could and should have seen them come from behind to win.
When Freiburg visits the London Stadium on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League last 16 match, West Ham will need to come back from behind to win.
There has been talk among players and supporters of calling upon the “spirit of Sevilla.”
Two years ago, the Hammers defeated Sevilla 1-0 in the first leg of the competition to advance to the quarterfinals.
Moyes and West Ham fans both have valid arguments
That was undoubtedly one of West Ham’s best results and atmospheres at their divisive Stratford home.
It’s fair to say the relationship between some of West Ham’s fans and the manager has become prickly over the last year or so.
Moyes has repeatedly suggested those jeering the team have short memories. And the Scot also states he feels true supporters are the ones who get behind their side when things aren’t going so well.
Some disgruntled West Ham fans argue the onus is on the manager and team to give them something to shout about by starting games with intent.
Both sides make valid points.
But for this hugely important game with Freiburg – and what is at stake – all of that goes out of the window.
Now Moyes has sent a very clear message to West Ham fans about what he expects from them for Freiburg.
That being raucous unconditional backing from the off regardless. And whatever your stance on Moyes, the performances and his approach – he’s right.
Hammers boss issues rallying cry for Freiburg
“We’ll do everything we can to get through,” Moyes told the club’s official site.
“We just need to do as well as we’ve done the last two years in Europe. We’ve only been in this situation ONCE against Sevilla in the knockout stages.
“So I think everybody knows what they have to do. We certainly know what we have to do. And hopefully the crowd know the part they have to play in it as well.”
Moyes also appealed to West Ham’s fans to get right behind the team in his interview with BBC Sport.
“Players have their own pride and they showed it in the second half (vs Burnley),” the West Ham boss added.
“They showed they cared and valued the support that comes here. I thought they’d done it in the second half.
“We had to find a big dose of enthusiasm right from the start. But we need that in the stadium as well. We need everybody to get behind us. They got behind us in the second half, it made a good difference.”
Yes the game is going to be a nightmare to get to. Yes we all hate the 5.45pm kick-off time. And yes we want to see the team take it to Freiburg.
But let’s do our bit to roar the team into the European quarter-finals for a third consecutive year.
