David Moyes did not appear downcast. His West Ham United team had just been knocked out of the FA Cup by West Bromwich Albion. The 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium by the Championship leaders was disappointing but the Scot had already shifted his focus to Liverpool on Wednesday and the Premier League relegation battle. “I’ve been here before,” he said. 

So too has Slaven Bilic, the Albion manager. Moyes, who is in his second spell in charge in east London, replaced Bilic first time round. Both men understand the problems that are perennially associated with West Ham: boardroom chaos, haphazard but expensive recruitment, angry, angst-ridden fans and, always, the looming terror of the drop. 

Bilic’s team advanced to the fifth round courtesy of Conor Townsend’s ninth-minute goal but the gulf between the teams was stark. Moyes acknowledged that, with eight changes, it was effectively Albion’s reserve side. “Pretty much,” the 56-year-old agreed. West Ham have suffered an injury crisis but treated the cup tie seriously. “The only player we didn’t start was [Mark] Noble,” he admitted.

The Championship side were so superior in the first period that Moyes made three substitutions at the half. “I could have made a couple more,” he said sardonically. The entire starting XI could have been culled at the break and none of the players involved would have any cause for complaint. West Ham’s performance was abject. Filip Krovinovic was given acres of space and controlled the pace of the game. If Charlie Austin had not been so wasteful, Albion could have been over the horizon after 45 minutes. They were in a different league to the home side.

Moyes saved West Ham from relegation two years ago but the task is more difficult now. Liverpool’s visit to the London Stadium opens a difficult run of games. On Saturday they host Brighton – a must-win match – and then are away to Manchester City and face Jurgen Klopp’s team again at Anfield.  February finishes with resurgent Southampton at home.

March brings little respite with two away derbies against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur sandwiching Wolverhampton Wanderers’ visit to the east end. By the time Chelsea come to Stratford on April 4, West Ham could be deep in trouble with the trapdoor beckoning.

“It’s the same problem as last time,” Moyes said. “It’s not changed. We need to find some inspiration.” Marko Arnautovic was the spark during the manager’s first spell and the Scot is desperate to find someone who can lift his team-mates and restore belief. It is a forlorn hope.

Injuries have hampered Manuel Lanzini’s chances of developing into the player West Ham hoped he would become. Albian Ajeti caused Albion problems in the second half with intelligent running and passing – the Swiss drew the foul that led to Semi Ajayi being awarded a second yellow card – but it is a stretch to imagine the 22-year-old turning Premier League games on a regular basis. Michail Antonio’s strong running and directness is an asset but the winger too often makes bad choices on the ball. 

Moyes needs more from Sebastien Haller. The club’s record signing has scored six league goals this season but looks like a man who has lost belief in his own ability. The Frenchman’s shooting and heading were tentative, he lacked physical presence and his movement and workrate were shoddy. Although West Ham put Albion under siege in the closing stages there was little real danger from a collection of long-range efforts. “We pushed, that was about all,” Moyes said, accepting that the rousing finish contained little real danger. The best chance fell to Noble in the area in stoppage time but the midfielder snatched at the opportunity and lofted the ball over.

So where will the inspiration come from? The transfer market? “I’d like bring two players in but they have to be able to go straight into the team,” Moyes said. “I don’t want to bring players who can’t do anything for team.”

The lift in spirits is unlikely to come from the stands. The supporters staged protests against the owners before the Everton match this month and unrest is growing. “I’m not sure about the politics,” Moyes said. “But we need the fans.”

Bilic agreed. “The crowd are crucial now,” he said, repeating the word ‘crucial’ three times. “Players are humans. They have ups and downs. It is very difficult to be confident when you’re losing. That’s why it’s easier to play away. Here, it feels like they have 100 kilos on their shoulders. They need the crowd. Now is the time.”

The Albion manager was low key afterwards and resisted the urge to gloat about the troubles of his former club. He did not celebrate the goal but insisted that was simply because it happened so early in the game. He can afford to be gracious with promotion to the Premier League firmly in West Brom’s sights.

Yet the Croat clearly retains affection for the club where he performed so well as a player and manager. He also has empathy for Moyes’s predicament, an experience Bilic has shared. “I’ve been there,” he said, echoing the Scot. 

One club, two managers, three spells in charge and nothing has changed for the better at West Ham. The story remains the same and is unlikely to be any different whoever is in charge.

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