West Ham United: Rio Ferdinand weighs in on David Moyes contract debate live on talkSPORT
Rio Ferdinand has told West Ham fans they need to make up their mind on whether they want to win games or play good football as the debate over David Moyes’ position rumbles on.
The West Ham academy graduate shared that, while he can see where the fans are coming from, you cannot argue with the fact that Moyes has brought home a trophy while managers that might have played better football did not.
In response to claims about the style of play at the London Stadium, Ferdinand shared his experience at the club when the focus was on playing good football, saying he understands the frustrations of the fans now.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [13 February, 08:43], Ferdinand explained: “When I grew up there, it was all about playing football with third-man runs, passing, having a picture in your head before you do anything. That was all football-based stuff.
“If the manager David Moyes doesn’t play the brand of football that West Ham are used to seeing, then yeah that is something to be talked about. But then he’s brought a European trophy to the table. How many managers over the last 30/40 years have brought a trophy like that to the table?
“But they’ve all played a brand of football that maybe West Ham fans like to see. You have to ask yourselves a question: do you want to win, or do you want to play a particular brand of football? There’s a lot of tears that go with that.”
Rio Ferdinand shared David Moyes verdict at West Ham
While the former Hammers defender didn’t directly weigh in on whether or not he feels Moyes should be offered a new deal at the London Stadium, he hinted that the club should stick with him as a result of the success they have had.
The rumours about the manager’s future have been rumbling on all season, but have found new life after the 6-0 defeat to Arsenal at the London Stadium, with contract talks reportedly being delayed as a result.
Ferdinand understands the fans’ claims in terms of wanting to see better football which lines up better with the way West Ham as a club should be playing, and as they did want to play when Ferdinand was at the club.
However, ultimately it’s a game about winning. Moyes, despite a dip in results recently, has proved he can get wins from this West Ham side, both in the league in terms of high positions and finishes, and in Europe with the Conference League victory and current Europa League campaign.
Support for Moyes from former players has become a running trend recently after Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker also expressed their confusion at his situation.
In other West Ham news, a talkSPORT host has slammed “bonkers” David Sullivan.
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