Moyes sends subtle message to Sullivan about whether players want him to stay

David Moyes has sent a subtle message to David Sullivan about whether West Ham’s players want him to stay.

This week, West Ham has been connected to fourteen different managers to take David Moyes’ place.

It’s obvious that the owners are taking their time before making a significant decision, which they and Moyes both insist won’t be made until the end of the season.

On Moyes’ future, commentators, journalists, and West Ham supporters have all voiced their opinions.

However, how do the players feel?

Before the 2-2 tie with Liverpool, talkSPORT spoke with Alphonse Areola and Kurt Zouma, and we could have learned what at least two of them thought.

However, Jim White, a radio host, asserted that the Hammers prevented them from presenting what Zouma and Areola had to say on the Scot and his circumstances.

Moyes decision looms large amid talks

Considering that West Ham supporters frequently accuse White of cozying up to David Sullivan and the team, it was an intriguing disclaimer that White added to the program.

Chris Sutton has claimed that Sullivan, the main owner, has disrespected Moyes with his actions.

That comes following his purported conversations with Julen Lopetegui and Ruben Amorim.

The 5-2 loss to Palace the previous weekend sent everyone into overdrive when it came to finding possible replacements.

Even though West Ham and Liverpool drew 2-2, it was still a good result, and they currently appear unlikely to qualify for Europe.

Questions about the manager’s future continued to surround him both before and after the Liverpool draw.

With a straight bat, he hit the most. He did, however, seem to make a statement about his team leadership.

Moyes hinted to Sullivan in a subdued manner as to whether the West Ham players want him to stay.

Moyes’ subtle message about whether players want him to stay

Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Moyes made it clear the players are still very much performing for him.

He added he remains ‘cool’ on his Hammers future and believes the club are still on course for what would be a ‘good league position and points total for West Ham’.

“Taking something (against Liverpool) keeps us in the mix (for Europe),” Moyes said.

“Whether it’s close enough (time will tell). But I think more importantly it keeps West Ham in a good league position, it may well drop by the end of the season…

“I’ve always said that we’d make a decision at the end of the season. And I’m only repeating myself and things that I’ve already said which are that I want things to be right, on both sides and I’m quite cool about the whole thing at the moment.

“The team are showing up (for me), the team are playing. They’re not playing well all the time but the team are doing the job and if we can hang in there it will be a really good season for us.”

Will it sway owners?

The comments come after journalist Graeme Bailey told Hammers News Moyes still has one key backer in the West Ham boardroom.

The trouble is, it’s all well and good the players playing for Moyes in terms of effort.

But there is the feeling a more attack-minded coach would be getting more out of them.

And another issue with Moyes’ message to the owners here is that so many of the current squad will be leaving this summer.

Six players are out of contract and set to leave what is already the joint smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.

The likes of Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd and outcast Maxwel Cornet are also expected to leave.

So it may hold little water with Moyes’ bosses that the players are still going out and putting in a shift for him.