Danny Ings signing shows West Ham board’s genuine reluctance to sack David Moyes
West Ham’s willingness to sign Aston Villa striker Danny Ings is evidence of the board’s “genuine reluctance” to sack David Moyes, but results will decide his future, according to BBC Sport chief Phil McNulty.
Sky Sports are reporting that the 30-year-old is currently undergoing his West Ham United medical ahead of a proposed £15m move from Aston Villa.
The Hammers are hoping the deal will be completed in time for their crucial Premier League clash with fellow strugglers Everton at the London Stadium, a game Moyes desperately needs to win.
And McNulty believes that the club’s willingness to back Moyes with this signing shows they still believe he’s the man to steer the club’s fortunes around, but results will of course ultimately decide his fate in East London.
Taking to his personal Twitter account [19 January], he tweeted: “West Ham’s willingness to invest in new striker Danny Ings is more evidence of their genuine reluctance to change manager – although results will, of course, decide David Moyes’ future. Decent price for Aston Villa. £12m now & £3m if West Ham United stay up.”
Backing
Indeed, the Hammers’ signing of Ings certainly shows the backing behind Moyes. It does show a reluctance to sack him as they still believe he deserves the chance to save the club’s fortunes despite the clamour for his sacking, especially from the club’s fans.
The club’s lack of goals has been a major issue for them this season, and signing a player of Ings’ goalscoring ilk should help to improve their fortunes in front of goal, but the pressure is on Moyes to find the formula for that to happen.
After a campaign of overachievement last year, the Hammers have certainly failed to follow through on the promise they showed their fans and that has been partly down to Moyes’ tactical stubbornness to evolve.
Whether Ings’ goals keep him in the job remains uncertain. What’s clear though, is that the club may well be in need of a refresh.
Maybe the former Everton and Manchester United boss has taken the club as far as he can, it’s probably time for a more attractive and tactically astute coach to take this club to the next level.