David Moyes is surely done as manager at West Ham as tell-tale signs emerge amid some truly woeful statistics and squad situation.
Even the most optimistic of West Ham fans would concede the season looks over after the last two results.
The 2-0 defeat in Bayer Leverkusen has left West Ham a mountain to climb to make the Europa League semi-finals.
It looks like David Moyes will have very few players to climb it with him. And those who will be available are completely jaded.
Another 2-0 defeat, this time at home to Fulham on Sunday, also looks to have put paid to West Ham’s hopes of qualifying for Europe for a fourth consecutive season.
Season looks over for West Ham
That’s not to say this has not been a good season for West Ham.
A Europa League quarter-final and top 10 Premier League finish surely goes down as a more than decent campaign when all is said and done.
But in the context of what we could have achieved with better squad planning and a different approach, fans are left thinking what might have been.
The Hammers go to defending champions Man City on the final day. And that now looks increasingly likely to be the manager’s farewell.
Because Moyes is surely done at West Ham as tell-tale signs emerge amid woeful statistics and squad situation.
Tell-tale signs emerge as Moyes surely nears the end
Last weekend a journalist close to Moyes revealed the Scot is analysing fan opinion towards him before deciding to sign a new contract.
The simple fact is the season feels increasingly like the last days of Sam Allardyce.
Many supporters feel change is needed with fresh ideas.
But crucially it looks like Moyes has had enough too.
The Scot was straight down the tunnel again after the Fulham defeat as the London Stadium emptied long before the final whistle.
Moyes was spiky and short with West Ham’s in-house media in his post match interview.
He often visibly bristles when West Ham’s fans are mentioned to him during interviews.
Contract looks set to remain unsigned
He recently claimed it is he who is stalling on signing a new West Ham contract. And he stated it must be ‘right for his family’.
But the reality is that his new deal is subject to terms. And those terms will see his power of veto on transfers removed and full control of recruitment ceded to Tim Steidten.
Moyes’ son David Junior has also been marginalised in the club’s scouting setup with Steidten bringing in his brother Moritz and Max Hahn.
Essentially it was a contract Moyes – given his character – was never going to sign.
The manager has done a phenomenal job at West Ham and will always be respected and loved for winning the club’s first major trophy for 43 years.
But it has never looked more clear that Moyes has taken West Ham as far as he can.
Manager looks fed up and so are fans
To truly compete in the modern game needs a modern philosophy.
It also needs a young, hungry squad with quality in depth. Moyes has had four years to address those issues and has even – by his own admission – tried to change the team’s style of play but has ultimately failed.
West Ham have the joint smallest squad in the Premier League and the second oldest with little depth, especially in key positions.
There is no real pathway for young players to come in and get a proper chance in the first team either.
West Ham have won just four of their last 20 games.
The Hammers have conceded the opening goal in 10 Premier League matches in 2024; the joint-most of any team along with Luton.
One of Moyes’ big selling points is his reputation for making sure his teams are solid. But West Ham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 13 league games. That’s their longest run without one since July 2020.
Often miles off the opposition for possession and passes completed, West Ham have become a tough watch at times.
Moyes failed to future-proof his squad
And they should be anything but with some of the attacking players at Moyes’ disposal.
Six players are out of contract this summer. Lucas Paqueta is likely to be sold to Man City too. That’s not to mention the fact West Ham already need at least four or five signings as things stand.
So the club faces yet another massive rebuild and influx of around 10 players. That’s just not sustainable.
Moyes has lived in the here and now during his time at West Ham. There has been no future-proofing in his squad planning.
Ultimately that has been his undoing and will see the club and Moyes part ways this summer.
They say all good things come to an end. And that is surely now the case for Moyes’ tenure in east London.
He looks and sounds fed up and many of the fans are feeling the same.