David Moyes defends West Ham United in deeply awkward MOTD 2 exchange
David Moyes defended his achievement of winning the Europa Conference League at West Ham United in an awkward exchange on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.
The Scot was in charge of the Hammers when they lifted the UEFA competition in the 2022-23 season, the club’s first trophy since the FA Cup in 1980.
The former Everton boss took exception as host Mark Chapman and Alan Shearer discussed Chelsea’s ability to rotate their squad as a result of being in Europe’s third-tier competition.
“What’s up with the Conference League?” Moyes asked, sparking an eruption of laughter from his co-hosts on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 [1 December].
Chapman went on to admit it was an “awkward” exchange, but Moyes did ultimately see the funny side.
West Ham need that feelgood factor back
The mood around the Irons could not be more different than what it was at full-time in Prague nearly 18 months ago.
Jarrod Bowen ended the Hammers’ 43-year trophy drought with a 90th-minute strike that sent the West Ham fans in the Eden Arena into raptures.
Now, the 27-year-old is the shining light in Julen Lopetegui’s dull team, with Bowen contributing double than any of his teammates so far this season with six combined goals and assists.
The appointment of Lopetegui in the first place has been blasted by talkSPORT host Rory Jennings [30 November, 20:51], who believes that it is “only a matter of time” before the board sack the Spaniard.
The Irons are at a crossroads right now. They sit 14th in the Premier League, six points above the relegation zone but only five points away from a European qualification place.
The Hammers need to do something to rediscover the feelgood factor and the positive atmosphere that surrounded the club when they won their first major European trophy since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
In other West Ham news, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been compared to a Liverpool attacker after his recent goalscoring exploits.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.