Doom and gloom has enveloped West Ham United yet again, but could the latest flash point actually be the very thing that keeps the club up?
West Ham striker Andy Carroll was spotted by TV cameras shaking his head and leaving the bench to storm down the tunnel during the defeat to Manchester City.
The injury-prone forward – who has cost the Hammers over £50 million for just 33 goals in six years – was visibly angry at being being overlooked when Moyes elected to replace Patrice Evra, Edimilson Fernandes and Manuel Lazini with Arthur Masuaku, Joao Mario and Javier Hernandez respectively.
That prompted Carroll to reportedly to show his displeasure by repeatedly shaking his head and he was then spotted leaving the bench and going down the tunnel with the game still going on.
Hammers boss David Moyes was then involved in what has been described as a ‘furious training ground bust-up’ with Carroll following the 4-1 defeat to champions Manchester City, as reported by the likes of Football London.
Carroll was sent home from training and Sky Sports reports that he has since apologised to Moyes.
With the club just three points above the Premier League drop zone with three games to go, many fans and pundits felt the incident highlighted the desperate situation at West Ham.
But could the bust-up actually provide the catalyst which gets West Ham the win that will surely keep them up as they prepare for crucial games against Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton.
Not only has Moyes had the perfect opportunity to reinforce his authority over the squad but Carroll is now in a position where he must redeem himself to his manager, the fans and his teammates.
And given the striker was clearly chomping at the bit to play anyway, that could be bad news for Leicester if Moyes does manage Carroll’s pent up anger and unleashes him on the Foxes, who look vulnerable at the moment.
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