2025/26 David Moyes

[Saint Domingo]

it is what it is this season. We’re a team that decides fixtures based on moments in both boxes. We seem to come out better from these moments away from home than at home at the moment but we don’t have the quality to move away from that. If Fulham finish better last weekend we’re looking at a 3-0 loss, if Barry scores last night we probably win that one 2 or 3-0 and we end up in the same place.

It’s a team with an outstanding keeper, a generally good defence, hard working midfield, and misfiring attack. That puts us in contention most games for a result but is not good enough to control a result outcome most games to win them. That eventually puts you firmly in mid table, some games it works, some games it doesn’t.

That’s why I made that point about the style of play before the game, I can’t see one at the moment, I see us just competing, which considering where we’ve been since Ancelotti is fine, but it isn’t a means by which you can move much higher.

The next step for the team has to be training a repetitive style that can manage possession and build attacks both in slow build up and when on a counter attack.

I feel like we’re just doing a lot of ‘right things’ like defending compactly (mostly) clearing lines, playing in the right areas, getting balls in the box, set pieces, maximising the percentages basically. It’s not implementing a style though so far in my opinion.

 

[Bedfordblue]

The number suggest we shouldn’t be relying on our away form as its far out performing every measurable metric. Most of our wins have come while being second-best on chances created. It suggests we’ve actually scored about what you’d expect from our xG away, so the attack hasn’t been special, however the big factor is that we’ve conceded far fewer goals than our xGA suggests we should have.
Several wins especially at United and Villa, were classic smash-and-grab jobs built on defending, goalkeeping and a bit of luck. Enjoyable, but hard to sustain unless that defensive over performance continues.
I would be interested to know how our recently purchased statistician outfit are reporting this to TFG……. Arguably what we are seeing at home is what we ought to be seeing away, if not for a large dose of luck.

Anyway, Frank’s just been sacked, better get Moyles tied down to a long term contract before Spurs come calling eh?

 

[msb]

Fundamentally our problem is we are not an attack based team, we can go away, soak up pressure and score to win or draw.

At home we are supposed to push the game and we simply don’t have an attack that can do that,we dominate up to the last third and then have no idea.

When we have teams that can push us at HD, we’ll likely nick a result.

It remains a problem and one we cannot resolve with our current squad. No matter who the manager is, in my opinion.

 

[Azza]

Welcome Thomas.

 

[NathDogg]

Although the away from has been really good, it was clear that we were riding our luck in many of those games and over reliant on JP to keep us in games before Moyes changed things and we got a grip.

The home form is abysmal, but the setting up of the team and tactics employed are similar for both. Players who haven’t really let anyone down or when called upon or others who haven’t really been given a chance now can’t get anywhere near the team as the afcon is over and suspensions are served.

Seeing Keane being lumped on as a Hail Mary was sobering, even if many of us have been asking for it, but that’s was more to keep him out of defence.

Gutted we never take the chances we get to kick on and move up the table.

Europe was always a bit of a pipe dream and exciting hope, especially with the league being so poor, and we should have utilised the January window to drive the dream to reality, but we did nothing except replace an injured superstar with a promising youngster - the glaring deficiencies in the squad are still there, and these are being exacerbated by the manager.

Forget Europe now, even though it’s a possibility. I don’t think the manager and some of the players can handle the pressure of expectation that goes with it.

We’re safe from relegation - let’s start playing some of the younger players we’ve signed, play players in their correct positions and start looking towards the future.

Drop Tarks, Gana and Myko - play JB and JOB together at cb, Patterson at rb, aznou at lb, drop KDH next to garner, then perm any of Armstrong, Rohl, Alcaraz or dibling in the 10 and get players near to whoever the cf is, speed up our play and get the ball into dangerous areas much quicker.

 

[HalfTimeSayers]

Very weird interviews. Understandably gutted, but giving off massive grumpy fed-up vibes whilst telling every interviewer how amazing the players have done. Not sure what message is. Being careful not to damage weak-willed attitudes, or upset egos?

Threw away 3 points through terrible finishing and terrible defending. Allowed to say it.

 

[14_dollars]

Welcome Thomas.

Not the worst shout.

 

[davek]

The number suggest we shouldn’t be relying on our away form as if far out performing every measurable metric. Most of our wins have come while being second-best on chances created. IT suggests we’ve actually scored about what you’d expect from our xG away, so the attack hasn’t been special, however the big factor is that we’ve conceded far fewer goals than our xGA suggests we should have.
Several wins especially at United and Villa, were classic smash-and-grab jobs built on defending, goalkeeping and a bit of luck. Enjoyable, but hard to sustain unless that defensive over performance continues.
I would be interested to know how our recently purchased statistician outfit are reporting this to TFG……. Arguably what we are seeing at home is what we ought to be seeing away, if not for a large dose of luck.

Anyway, Frank’s just been sacked, better get Moyles tied down to a long term contract before Spurs come calling eh?

Playing tight with very good players like Ndiaye and KDH ready to take advantage for us when overturning the ball a bit higher up the pitch is enough to give all but 2 or 3 clubs in this league massive headaches.

If a Moyes team that cant pass accurately with pace is playing higher up the pitch it's a recipe for disaster, home or away.

I've said this for weeks and months. We should acknowledge our frailties and play to our strengths.

 

[Bedfordblue]

Fundamentally our problem is we are not an attack based team, we can go away, soak up pressure and score to win or draw.

At home we are supposed to push the game and we simply don’t have an attack that can do that,we dominate up to the last third and then have no idea.

When we have teams that can push us at HD, we’ll likely nick a result.

It remains a problem and one we cannot resolve with our current squad. No matter who the manager is, in my opinion.

While neither striker are good enough, Beto at least proved last season that when we attack in a way that suits his capabilities he can score. (Im not sure what Barrys strengths are, but he does look like he might be better with a ball played in to space in front of him).
IMO part of our attacking bluntness is we simply aren’t playing to either of their (limited) strengths. As you say, we build up in to the opposition final ⅓, but we do it so slowly they can set them selves up for defence rather than being on the back foot. At that point neither striker is worth a carrot and we’re reliant on a KDH or Skiliman individual piece of excellence most of the time, or winning a set piece. And while i really like both of them, they aren’t Messi (or even prime Lampard / slippy G) and they’re never going to score big numbers.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

The number suggest we shouldn’t be relying on our away form as its far out performing every measurable metric. Most of our wins have come while being second-best on chances created. It suggests we’ve actually scored about what you’d expect from our xG away, so the attack hasn’t been special, however the big factor is that we’ve conceded far fewer goals than our xGA suggests we should have.
Several wins especially at United and Villa, were classic smash-and-grab jobs built on defending, goalkeeping and a bit of luck. Enjoyable, but hard to sustain unless that defensive over performance continues.
I would be interested to know how our recently purchased statistician outfit are reporting this to TFG……. Arguably what we are seeing at home is what we ought to be seeing away, if not for a large dose of luck.

Anyway, Frank’s just been sacked, better get Moyles tied down to a long term contract before Spurs come calling eh?

Not really a big believer in xG stuff, think a whole lot of salt is needed but those that are - I did see this the other day.

In terms of performances where I've felt we deserved to win a game, we've definitely won more than I felt our performance deserved.

Keep thinking when we actually start to play well, it'll show and we could pinch Europe

 

[Tom Hughes]

You mentioned a poll not me.

Anyway for me it’s not about where we finish, could be 8th Could be 13th. And the home form is not because we have an unbalanced squad or because we Haven’t spent as much as teams around us. Bournemouth have lost 5 of their best players in 18 months. Yes they’ve replaced them, but not for the same value. Brentford have lost their 3 best forwards in the same time.

All some do on here is make excuses, Moyes is a mid 60’s set in his ways manager. He will make you competitive in most games and tough to beat, but this notion that get him 2 better full backs and a striker and all of a sudden he will let the handbrake off and be flying at teams at home is laughable. He’s doing a good job, but his stubbornness in the transfer market and his style of management and in game decisions, will forever hold him and us back.

You mentioned a poll not me.

Anyway for me it’s not about where we finish, could be 8th Could be 13th. And the home form is not because we have an unbalanced squad or because we Haven’t spent as much as teams around us. Bournemouth have lost 5 of their best players in 18 months. Yes they’ve replaced them, but not for the same value. Brentford have lost their 3 best forwards in the same time.

All some do on here is make excuses, Moyes is a mid 60’s set in his ways manager. He will make you competitive in most games and tough to beat, but this notion that get him 2 better full backs and a striker and all of a sudden he will let the handbrake off and be flying at teams at home is laughable. He’s doing a good job, but his stubbornness in the transfer market and his style of management and in game decisions, will forever hold him and us back.

Bournemouth and Brentford's squad value are still higher than ours, and more balanced...even given their recent sales and our spends. As is the case for at least 13 clubs in the premiership, most of whom haven't been nearly as poor as us in recent years.

Yes, I think proper full backs and even half decent forwards could make a big difference.

 

[blueboy72]

Bournemouth and Brentford's squad value are still higher than ours, and more balanced...even given their recent sales and our spends. As is the case for at least 13 clubs in the premiership, most of whom haven't been nearly as poor as us in recent years.

Yes, I think proper full backs and even half decent forwards could make a big difference.

Yes and a better manager will
Make an even bigger difference

 

[Bryan+]

Come on you Cherries.

See this?

 

[kenada_blue]

Toffee TV made a valid point regards Moyes and not playing players the board have bought in the summer. He's got to be careful.

 

[kenada_blue]

it is what it is this season. We’re a team that decides fixtures based on moments in both boxes. We seem to come out better from these moments away from home than at home at the moment but we don’t have the quality to move away from that. If Fulham finish better last weekend we’re looking at a 3-0 loss, if Barry scores last night we probably win that one 2 or 3-0 and we end up in the same place.

It’s a team with an outstanding keeper, a generally good defence, hard working midfield, and misfiring attack. That puts us in contention most games for a result but is not good enough to control a result outcome most games to win them. That eventually puts you firmly in mid table, some games it works, some games it doesn’t.

That’s why I made that point about the style of play before the game, I can’t see one at the moment, I see us just competing, which considering where we’ve been since Ancelotti is fine, but it isn’t a means by which you can move much higher.

The next step for the team has to be training a repetitive style that can manage possession and build attacks both in slow build up and when on a counter attack.

I feel like we’re just doing a lot of ‘right things’ like defending compactly (mostly) clearing lines, playing in the right areas, getting balls in the box, set pieces, maximising the percentages basically. It’s not implementing a style though so far in my opinion.

For a team with loads of height, i think we've been Marco Silva levels of awfulness in defending set pieces and crosses this season.