David Moyes warned of West Ham troubles - his words didn't matter then and I don't think they should now

Former West Ham manager David Moyes took no issue with letting the club and its supporters know that they should be careful what they wish for during his last season in charge at the London Stadium.

The Scotsman left with the well-wishes of the London outfit as he departed at the end of his contract this summer. Moyes brought a Europa Conference League title to West Ham in 2023 and some of the highest of highs that the club have felt in recent history.

However, despite the trophy, the fanbase grew impatient with Moyes' style of play during the 2023/24 season. The former Everton and Manchester United boss was capable of getting results when he needed them most but, off the back of that European high, there was a feeling that the club was perhaps ready to think bigger.

That frustrated Moyes at times, especially as he side receiving numerous hidings in the league last season. The Hammers conceded five against Fulham, Crystal Palace and Chelsea last season, as well as six at home against Arsenal in February.

David Moyes warned fans of ambition

Speaking after the heavy defeat to Chelsea in May, Moyes appeared to land a veiled dig at supporters calling for a change in style. He insisted that the club must not get ahead of itself and said: "People want us to play with our best players, which we’re trying to do, but it’s exposing other areas of the pitch.

"Maybe we haven’t quite got the right organisation, and the players don’t work quite right in such a strict structure. Over the last three years, I think there’s been a really strict structure here, but it’s got us good results and it’s got us European football. Today, our structure was so poor, players were out of position, and they didn’t do their jobs well enough."

Moyes would go on to talk further about his relationship with the West Ham fans after leaving his post. Over the summer, he said: "Right at the start I’ve come from a really attacking culture, the fans would always say ‘Don’t bore me I want to be excited by the football so don’t bore me’.

“There might have been a lot of games where I bored people, but I got the result. I think there are a lot of teams in the Premier League that would like a manager who’s going to keep them up around 6th or 7th in the league.

“I think there’s a big thing about style at the moment but I feel as if I’m having to defend myself. I’m interested in attacking but I’m also interested in making sure I don’t allow your team to score goals, because that’s part of the game too.”

Understandably, for West Ham fans, that rhetoric didn’t fly with some of those scorelines last season simply too big a knock to the pride to stomach. Hence the need for change.

West Ham competitive despite thrashings

It's easy to now look back at those Moyes comments as wise with Julen Lopetegui struggling for consistency in the Premier League. Three wins from the opening 10 Premier League fixtures is far from impressive from the former Wolves man, but it could be worse.

Last weekend's 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was far from vintage but came after Edson Alvarez was sent off before half time. Lopetegui kept his cool after the game but his comments made it clear that a portion of blame had to stop with the midfielder.

While the Hammers' defence is arguably just as porous as it was at times under Moyes - the club having been left red-faced after blowing £40 million on Max Kilman - the side has been in games. In the matches that saw a 5-1 cup loss to Liverpool and a 4-1 league defeat to Spurs, West Ham were competitive for large spells. Last term, when being beaten, the team were never truly in those matches.

Once again, perhaps West Ham supporters should be warned as some start to vocalise frustration with Lopetegui. Change takes time and it's change they wished for.