Michail Antonio has become the latest West Ham star to damningly question the tactics of manager David Moyes.
There’s never dull moment following West Ham is there?
David Moyes is looking increasingly likely to leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
Many Hammers fans have grown disenchanted with the Scot’s risk averse approach and philosophy.
Especially when the defensive solidity he preaches has not evident on the pitch with West Ham failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League games.
Should the Hammers concede against Crystal Palace it will be the longest run without a shutout since Moyes was appointed back in 2020.
The style vs substance debate only works in Moyes’ favour when he gets results. That was not the case in the Premier League last season.
And the Hammers have won just four of their 21 matches in 2024.
But what do the players think?
Style vs substance argument falling down
There has never been any suggestion Moyes has “lost the dressing room”. But many have dared speak out about the team’s tactics in the recent past.
Naysayers usually only come out of the woodwork when things aren’t going well.
So it was telling back in November when West Ham were flying after a 2-1 win away at Spurs, that James Ward-Prowse publicly criticised Moyes’ tactics in a post-match interview.
Ward-Prowse said he felt the Scot put too much focus on nullifying their opponents in the build-up and not enough on how West Ham’s talented team could hurt their rivals.
It was all brushed under the carpet amid the buzz of a win over a fierce rival.
Ahead of the second leg of West Ham’s Europa League quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen, that man Ward-Prowse spoke out again.
The midfielder aimed an unashamed dig at Moyes for showing the Germans far too much respect in the 2-0 first leg defeat.
Edson Alvarez and Michail Antonio have both spoken about the team needing to be far less conservative.
Frustrated Antonio damningly blames Moyes for Euro exit
Moyes took his approach to new extremes by going ultra defensive in the first leg of the last eight tie.
The players carried out the manager’s orders but tired legs and minds saw the Hammers concede two late goals to give them a mountain to climb in the second leg at the London Stadium.
Moyes finally gave fans – and players – what they wanted by attacking and pressing the opposition in the second leg.
A valiant West Ham came so close to turning the tie around and the crowd loved what they saw.
But ultimately the damage had been done in the first leg.
Now Antonio has damningly laid the blame for West Ham’s European exit squarely at Moyes’ door.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Antonio pulled no punches as he made it clear the tie was lost due to negative tactics in the first leg.
Striker says first leg tactics cost Hammers dear – and Alonso agrees
“Disappointed and obviously last week we gave them a bit too much respect,” Antonio said.
“This week we came out and showed them what we could do…
“One hundred per cent (it was hard to maintain the way West Ham played in the first half of the second leg). It was very high tempo football, us chasing them down, high pressure…
“We made quite a few chances… This week we made it more of an even game.
“But just disappointed with how we played last week to be honest. I thought we gave them too much respect (end up) with a 2-0 deficit and it was just too hard to get it back this week.”
Antonio’s assessment comes after Xabi Alonso admitted his side simply could not live with West Ham playing the way they did in the second leg.
