David Moyes could head for another unfitting West Ham exit, but it didn't have to be this way - Premier League hits and misses

The writing increasingly looks to be on the London Stadium wall for David Moyes. Out of contract in barely six weeks, a new manager seemingly circling by the week for his job and now his players downing tools in front of his very eyes.

It's hard to see a way now that he doesn't make a second ignominious exit from East London, having been ditched unceremoniously by the Hammers for Manuel Pellegrini six years ago despite saving them from relegation.

That exit was harsh, and this one would be too, only a year since he led the club to their first European trophy in almost 60 years. But while that one was out of his hands, this is more of his own making.

Moyes spoke earlier in the season in relaxed tones about his future, and there was a general understanding the club had offered him a new contract. At that point, West Ham were in the European spots, embarking on another impressive Europa League campaign, and all was rosy in Stratford.

Well, it isn't now. Three league wins from 17 in 2024 have soured the mood around the club considerably to the point Moyes has banned technical director Tim Steidten from the first-team dressing room, and after a second five-goal hammering in three weeks, inevitable recency bias is in real danger of tarnishing his legacy.

After the dismal defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, his tone had unsurprisingly sharpened. Asked again about his contract, he snapped: "I'll talk to the board at the end of the season. We'll do that then."

Moyes deserves some sympathy with how his players have clearly downed tools in recent weeks. He has made his name as a defensive-first manager - this side shows no interest in defending.

But he had his destiny in his own hands, and let it slip away. And he has been in football far too