2025/26 David Moyes

[Davideeyore]

Acid test for Moyes well there's 2. Matching the home performances with away ones and does he keep OBrien in at centre half?
Ndiaye and Gueye will come back in too.

 

[Chegsy]

Was interesting seeing how Newcastle also struggled to get past Wolves.

The MOTD2 punditry pointing out that they are more comfortable on the counter-attack and start to look like they've run out of ideas when they get too much of the ball.

Hmm, sounds familiar. Same charge also levelled at Glasner's Palace ofc.

Almost like that might be the hardest part of the game...

Especially with 2 of your more creative players missing in an already not very creative team. I love it when someone says they just want us to "have a go" like it's that simple.

 

[wandyr79]

This also for me.

There is no doubt he is doing what we all wanted him to do, but i would still like a change in the summer.
He has got us where we are as a squad IMO, i just dont believe with better players he takes us to the next level and i think that is down to his mentality. He thrives of being the underdog (Think our home form and away form prove that) he seems a bit clueless when we have to take the game to the opposition.

I suppose it all depends on the definition of 'next level'.

I think the realism is that he gets at least another season, especially if we finish top half and dare I say it, in Europe. I think that after the problems we have had over the last 4/5 years mid table is a realistic stage of progress after 1 transfer window (I don't think the January transfer window should count as premiums go up and it is more difficult for teams to be planning player departures).

So, if we reach that, has Moyes already gone to the next level that is spoken about, or are the parameters to really jump a few levels at a time?

Either way, if the level we are talking about is top 4, winning cups regularly then I would agree with you but we have at least a couple of seasons where that can be a realistic aim and Moyes has proven before that he is a manager who can get us to the level below that, ready for us to kick on with a new manager.

 

[Efcjake]

So, we’re just forgetting the home form and set up, and his handling of the squad and new signings then?

I’m delighted about yesterday, Moyes deserves so much credit, as do the players for a fantastic performance, but let’s not kid ourselves about the issues he and we have had this season, especially with the league being so poor and the opportunity to really kick on this season.

I’m not saying sack him either, not at all, but we should all want, expect and strive for more from the club, manager and players.

Is it perfect? No it definitely isn't. Those are valid issues you raise.

Is it far better than anything we've seen from any manager since Ancelotti? Yes, easily.

That will do for me this year and until his contract expires and he leaves us with a much better platform to build on than the one he inherited.

 

[Efcjake]

IMO anyone who wants Moyes sacked should put forward a credible option as an alternative. Look at the number of ‘modern’ or ‘progressive’ or ‘younger’ managers sacked over the last couple of seasons and the ones struggling now. Managers need time to establish a team and a culture at a club, nearly every Manager who has won the league or even a cup competition for years has had time in the role first (not counting Leicester under Ranieri as that was a freak incident!).

All of the flavours of the week they want are below us in the league like Frank and Glasner so the replacement shouts have gone very quiet.

 

[NathDogg]

Is it perfect? No it definitely isn't. Those are valid issues you raise.

Is it far better than anything we've seen from any manager since Ancelotti? Yes, easily.

That will do for me this year and until his contract expires and he leaves us with a much better platform to build on than the one he inherited.

Agree mate, he made us much better since returning and I’m thankful of the work he’s done for us after Dyche, but there are niggles and I won’t ignore them.

I’m hoping we can sneak a European place as well though, the way the league is we shouldn’t just settle for mid table.

 

[Efcjake]

Logically doesn't the table being so tight mean the teams around and below us are also picking up more results against the champions League than usual? Why would our squad be expected or demanded to be above the other teams right now.

There isn't a genuinely good answer from people who they expect us to be finishing into the top half of the table.

It comes down to we spent money last year (We weren't even in the top half of spending and it was our first real spend in years) or NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM meant something back in my day super bloos.

If we didn't spend more than half the league expecting us to finish ahead of some of them seems a bit unfair and demanding over performance.

 

[Efcjake]

Agree mate, he made us much better since returning and I’m thankful of the work he’s done for us after Dyche, but there are niggles and I won’t ignore them.

I’m hoping we can sneak a European place as well though, the way the league is we shouldn’t just settle for mid table.

I don't expect there to be any settling. Moyes won't be happy if they look to start thinking of holidays instead of keeping focused.

That said, I still feel Europe is just one bridge too far for this squad right now but it would be a very pleasant surprise and a massive over-achievement.

 

[Furey1878]

View attachment 340430

Grealish trying to act like he doesn't know Tuchel is right there haha

 

[blackie_jones75]

With Ndiaye returning at RW - there's no debate to be had. We'd be far too exposed on the right because Ndiaye wouldn't be prepared to do the defensive shift that was foisted upon Dibling and McNeill in recent games - and in any case we'll be expected to come out and play a lot more at home and not sit back in a low block.

Greater defensive nous is the order of the day across the whole of the back four against Leeds. We cant have any passengers.

It's more important to keep O'Brian at centre back so Patterson stays RB for me

 

[Simon Buttle]

Grealish trying to act like he doesn't know Tuchel is right there haha

I think Grealish's time has gone tbh but he can't not have noticed Garner and the way he played.

 

[Eggs]

Grealish trying to act like he doesn't know Tuchel is right there haha

….i posted a pic of him also talking with Tuchel, they were having a right gab with plenty of smiling.

Presume Tuchel asks to talk to certain players and checks in with the Managers.

 

[wandyr79]

Grealish trying to act like he doesn't know Tuchel is right there haha

Haha, when I saw that picture my initial thought is that Grealish is basically saying 'Play it cool, Trigger. Play it cool'. Just before he slips on the railing and falls down the stairs.

 

[Eggs]

Haha, when I saw that picture my initial thought is that Grealish is basically saying 'Play it cool, Trigger. Play it cool'. Just before he slips on the railing and falls down the stairs.

 

[davek]

It's more important to keep O'Brian at centre back so Patterson stays RB for me

It's best if we got a new RB.