West Ham United have reportedly stalled contract talks with manager David Moyes following the club's heavy 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Hammers were swept aside by their London rivals in comprehensive fashion, trailing 4-0 at half time which resulted in several home supporters leaving the London Stadium in their droves at half time.
Bukayo Saka then netted his second and Arsenal's fifth shortly after the interval, two minutes before former West Ham man Declan Rice completed the rout with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area.
Moyes understands why the West Ham supporters decided to leave the stadium early following a "weak" performance and a "terrible day" at the office, but he was keen to highlight the high moments that the club have experienced under his tutelage.
"At the end of December, we won 2-0 at Arsenal so you must not forget that you're looking at Arsenal today and a few weeks ago it was us," Moyes said as quoted by The Guardian. "To be a football supporter, especially at this club... I came back twice to get them out of relegation... there's always going to be bad times.
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"Let's be fair, over the last three years it's been the best time West Ham have ever had. Sixth and seventh in the league, semi-final of the Europa League, a final of a European cup competition and I still think this club has grown.
"Undoubtedly, we've had a terrible day today and I understand them [the fans] leaving but sometimes at football clubs you are going to have bad days. Today we had a bad day and I certainly won't forget the good ones.
"The disappointing thing for me is I don't think since I've come back to the club, I don't think my team has defended in that way. Ever.
"We were weak, we didn't do our jobs well enough. We didn't fight to contain it harder and make sure that we didn't concede and we could have conceded other goals as well. Maybe I've had teams here which haven't had the same quality as what we've had here but we would have made sure we didn't put in a performance like that – that's for sure."
Speculation over Moyes's long-term future at West Ham has been rife for some time, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.
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The 60-year-old recently admitted that he and the Hammers will soon reignite contract negotiations, telling reporters: "We'll get back on it now the transfer window is shut. We're well down the line and moving on it. We'll pick that up again in the next few weeks."
However, according to The Telegraph, West Ham are set to delay talks over a new deal with the Scotsman following the club's concerning run of form.
The Hammers have failed to win any of their last seven games in all competitions and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship club Bristol City during this run.
Moyes's men enjoyed a decent run of form in the Premier League over the festive period and climbed into European contention, but they have since slipped down to eighth place, five points behind Manchester United in sixth.
The report adds that another reason for West Ham's decision to stall talks with Moyes is that they are aware of interest in the managerial job from a number of 'high-profile' coaches.
Moyes will be hoping to turn the club's fortunes around when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
