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West Ham are six points off the relegation zone in the Premier League and to most observers safe from relegation this season even though mathematically, they aren't just yet.

After the defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, David Moyes has picked up six wins in 23 Premier League games since taking over from Slaven Bilic and the question is being asked if the Hammers are really any better off than they were when the Croat was in charge.

Look at the table and yes, they are. The team were in the bottom three when Bilic left and Moyes arrived and now, they aren't in that drop zone but has it been a case of the Hammers improving or teams around the getting worse?

West Ham have lost 4-1 three times under Moyes - 4-0 at Everton as well - and Sunday was the seventh time the Hammers have shipped three or more goals in a game on his watch.

Analysing Sunday's defeat at the Emirates, the Hammers were in a good spot, well worthy of their point before Moyes went attacking and the team ended up losing heavily following Declan Rice's error.

But, the dissenting voices are starting to appear in the stands with the tactics being employed. 5-4-1 is the weapon of choice for the Scotsman but and against Arsenal away from home, it's understandable. But, against Stoke and Southampton at home (it worked against the Saints in fairness), he could have been more adventurous.

West Ham have four games to go and two of them are against the Manchester clubs, the others versus Leicester City away and Everton at the London Stadium on the final day of the season.

Looking further ahead than that - this summer is key.

Well-placed Football.London sources tell us that the West Ham board is very happy with Moyes, despite the results, thanks to him instilling discipline and improving fitness among the players. They are also willing to offer the Scotsman a two-year deal to really stamp his mark in east London but the defeat on Sunday has raised serious concern in the fanbase.

Is this Moyes' doing though? He inherited a woefully under-par and dis-interested squad from Slaven Bilic and turned them around, albeit briefly. West Ham have scored in each of their last 17 games, they haven't scored in a Premier League game just once since December 13 in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in Stratford. Some things have worked under Moyes, some things have not.

The manager has indicated he wants the job permanently, the board are seemingly happy to oblige and dispense with their plans for a director of football - if ever a club needs one of those then it's West Ham - but the reaction if that happens will be extremely mixed.

David Sullivan and David Gold have their own way of doing things and it's well, interesting to say the least. Gold has gone extremely quiet on social media in 2018 while Sullivan starred in a PR spin video earlier this year. If they press ahead and appoint Moyes once again but this time on a permanent basis, they are making an uncomfortable bed for themselves once again.

(Image: Mark Robinson/Getty Images)

West Ham are at a crossroads now and they will be once again in the summer. Do they go in a different direction and try to get the club back to where it should be and not battling relegation or do they stick with someone who now knows the club a bit better in the shape of Moyes? Hammers fans don't want the world - they just want to be more competitive, play decent football and maybe have a cup run at some stage.

What comes next between now and the start of August when the new season gets underway is hugely important. It will be the Hammers' third season in their London Stadium home and after two seasons of struggle, really can't afford to take the risk with a third.

The transfer window opens early this year, in June, and closes before the new season begins, and West Ham need to be active and be active early, not relying on loan deals and free agent bargains once the window is closed.

The next managerial appointment is absolutely crucial as it will determine exactly how much ambition the club has and where the owners want to take it. You look at names like Slavisa Jokanovic, Eddie Howe, Rafa Benitez, David Wagner, Manuel Pellegrini and many others who the fans would seemingly prefer.

The Hammers can't afford to be static while others around them make moves.

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