Fan Talk with West Ham Central: Masterful Moyes deserves our backing

Louis Sorrell-Wilde from @WestHam_Central is confident his club can put in an improved Premier League showing in 2023-24 and has tipped David Moyes to silence his doubters in East London.

Special memories

Even though the new season is almost here, I'm still riding high from our iconic Europa Conference League win.

Last season was a strange one, I can't lie. In terms of the Premier League, we lost 20 games and completely sacrificed our campaign for the sake of a cup.

Some of our supporters were enraged by that — but I was overjoyed. 

After consecutive top-seven finishes, there was always going to be a drop-off anyway and the memories that come with winning a European trophy are priceless for a club like ours.

It has had an unbelievable impact on the fanbase and the fact we get to play in the Europa League this season means it really was win-win.

Backing Moyesy

There is plenty of discussion around David Moyes' future but I am 100% behind him.

I don't always agree with his decisions, tactics, signings, approach to the game — the list goes on!

But how can you bemoan a man who has qualified you for Europe three seasons in a row now, with a trophy thrown in for good measure?

He does things his own way and clearly wants to bring his own players in now. I think he's earned that right.

That said, who knows what will happen in the coming weeks.

Having started our transfer business late and with backroom staff still to be reshuffled, there's a fair chance we could be struggling by September and the board lose faith in Moyes.

David Sullivan clearly trusts him though and if the new additions bed in quickly, things could go swimmingly.

All hands on Dec

As West Ham fans, we all knew Declan Rice's departure was coming but I'm still absolutely gutted about it.

You can replace 99% of players but sadly, Declan is in the other 1%. He made everything click and so often carried our whole underperforming team on his back.

The fact we are looking at bringing in two or three midfielders to replace him shows just how monumental he was in our engine room.

I must say though, I'll be excited if we land James Ward-Prowse. 

Our reputation from attacking set-pieces has always been strong and in Ward-Prowse, we'd be signing the GOAT of delivery.

Harry Maguire looks a perfect fit for us too. Playing in Moyes' low-block defence, I reckon we could help him get back to his best.

Cause for optimism

One thing I am feeling particularly upbeat about is our next generation after last season's FA Youth Cup win.

West Ham's reputation as the Academy of Football has waned a bit in recent years — apart from Rice — but that could all be about to change again.

Divin Mubama will be involved with our first team this season, while midfielders George Earthy and Freddie Potts are ones to watch as well, as is full-back Ollie Scarles.

Realistically, I think a mid-table finish is on the cards, perhaps pushing into the top half.

It looks like a much tougher league this season and with new faces still settling in, I think it'll be a transitional campaign for us.

Given our European pedigree though, the optimist in me says there's no reason we can't push for another final. 

Roll on the 2024-25 Champions League!

Louis Sorrell-Wilde was talking to Matthew Hill