Julen Lopetegui and West Ham: Staff choice, techniques, gradual begins – what is going on improper for brand spanking new Hammers boss?

Amid West Ham’s late slide at Anfield on Wednesday, supervisor Julen Lopetegui stamped the bottom in annoyance and harm himself within the course of.

The Spaniard had witnessed his aspect give up a lead and capitulate alarmingly within the final 16 minutes of their Carabao Cup third-round tie at Liverpool.

The competition was over as soon as Edson Alvarez was despatched off moments after Mohamed Salah put the hosts 3-1 forward, and Lopetegui was then pressured to take a seat down for the rest of the sport.

“I have one little injury in my calf,” he admitted after limping into the room for his post-match press convention. He was later noticed leaving the stadium on crutches.

It has been a bruising begin to life at West Ham for the previous Wolves supervisor.

Earlier than the October worldwide break, West Ham face a visit to Brentford earlier than internet hosting Ipswich – and so they have already got the texture of high-pressure video games Lopetegui can not ill-afford to lose.

Has the model of soccer improved?

Having put collectively a glittering teaching CV over the previous twenty years, main Sevilla to Europa League glory alongside his success with Spain at varied age ranges, there was loads of pleasure surrounding Lopetegui’s arrival.

David Moyes had led West Ham to their first trophy in 43 years with Europa Convention success however many supporters felt the time had come for a change in the summertime within the curiosity of all events.

One sentiment stood out from Moyes in direction of the top of his tenure – one which he repeated on the Up Entrance podcast with Simon Jordan.

“I’ve been the manager – and I couldn’t tell you what the West Ham Way is,” he mentioned. “Nobody could define (it), but whatever it was, I apparently didn’t play it.”

Moyes’ pragmatism which annoyed some has not been changed by a thrill-a-minute underneath Lopetegui – however that ought to not have been anticipated given his type. That mentioned, the membership confirmed their ambition within the switch market.

Moyes can replicate on having the very best points-per-game common of any supervisor with 20-plus video games within the membership’s historical past, nevertheless it was not sufficient to shake off his repute as a coach recognized above all for his construction and organisation.

Lopetegui will quickly be confronted with the identical line of questions if outcomes and performances do not enhance.

Tasked with bringing forth the “next step in West Ham United’s new and growing football strategy” when he was unveiled as Moyes’ successor final Could, Lopetegui has overseen 4 defeats in seven video games since taking cost.

The “clear football philosophy, flexible tactical approach, competitive character and man-management skills” which have been highlighted on the time of his appointment haven’t been seen throughout the previous two video games specifically, by which the Hammers have shipped eight objectives.

West Ham spiralled to second 5-1 loss in opposition to Liverpool within the Carabao Cup in successive seasons leaving issues over whether or not Lopetegui is the fitting man to construct on the sturdy foundations put in place by Moyes.

Paul Merson informed Sky Sports activities: “I believe he wants time, there is no doubt, however they’re in hassle.

“He’s probably got the most talented squad West Ham have had for many a year and so he’s got to get the right team at the right time.

“He is received to discover ways to defend. He is most likely received caught up in a state of affairs the place he is are available in and thought he cannot be like David Moyes as a result of the followers removed him for being a bit detrimental.

“However he’s a bit like that himself. He is a supervisor who for me is a little more ‘be sure to do not lose in the event you do not win’. They seem like they’ve tried to pressure it after which been caught on the again.

“They might have scored a couple against Chelsea, but you can’t be getting beat like that at home to one of your arch enemies and then concede five at Liverpool.

“I see Brentford profitable this weekend, and if that’s the case then he’s proper up in opposition to it.

“If David Moyes was under pressure and they were winning a European trophy, this man will be under severe pressure. I know it’s early doors, but this is the Premier League and people don’t mess about.”

Supporter discontent off the pitch

What hasn’t aided Lopetegui is supporter unrest.

West Ham followers expressed their dismay throughout the summer time months after the membership revealed plans to take away junior and Over-66 concessions for brand spanking new season ticket holders all through a lot of the London Stadium.

The scrapping of those worth reductions has led to the associated fee for juniors and aged supporters surging for almost all of seats.

Given these circumstances, it has been the worst potential time for the first-team to start a league marketing campaign with three consecutive house defeats for the primary time within the membership’s historical past.

Lopetegui should be certain that anger does not begin being directed predominantly in direction of him.

His substitutions in opposition to Chelsea have been jeered by a few of those that remained within the stands, however 1000’s had already left the bottom 20 minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle.

Sluggish begins – and gradual restarts

West Ham took the lead in opposition to Liverpool in cup motion this week, however within the Premier League it has to this point been their gradual begins which has led to them enjoying catch-up. The response in opposition to Chelsea solely got here after Nicolas Jackson had scored twice.

This is not a brand new difficulty underneath Lopetegui, nevertheless.

The Hammers have conceded 5 objectives within the opening 5 minutes of Premier League video games in 2024, no less than three greater than some other aspect.

It’s maybe due to this fact not the very best time to be going through Brentford, who’re contemporary from breaking a Premier League file for scoring the earliest ever mixture of opening objectives in successive matches.

Bryan Mbeumo’s volley in opposition to Tottenham after simply 23 seconds made within the second match operating the Bees had netted inside the primary minute, doing so after 22 seconds at Manchester Metropolis.

What is going to alarm followers is that Chelsea scored a 3rd simply two minutes after the restart, and Liverpool scored their second within the forty ninth minute which locations much more scrutiny on what directions Lopetegui is giving his gamers simply earlier than leaving the dressing room.

Accidents no excuse – signings have not clicked

This weekend’s opponents Brentford at present have eight first-team gamers out injured – greater than some other Premier League membership.

West Ham, on the flip aspect, solely have one absentee – striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has been lacking after being injured on worldwide responsibility with Germany.

Lopetegui can not use the lack of key personnel as an excuse, however the brand new signings are but to gel regardless of West Ham having spent £155m on 9 new gamers.

Former participant and coach Kevin Nolan was vital of £40m new signing Max Kilman’s defending for Liverpool’s equaliser.

Jean-Clair Todibo hasn’t began a league recreation with Jamie Redknapp lower than impressed by the defender’s utility and “failure to do the basics” as Liverpool ran riot.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is but to signify an improve on the ageing Vladimir Coufal.

Towards Chelsea, Guido Rodriguez was the fall-guy together with his early withdrawal. Lopetegui did not acknowledge him as he left the pitch, however West Ham regarded outnumbered and overwhelmed in midfield. He later admitted he had made an error in beginning with the Argentina midfielder.

Alvarez will serve a one-game suspension this weekend which means Lopetegui might now want Rodriguez to dig him out of a gap.

Unhealthy luck – and fixtures have been troublesome

West Ham might simply have been afforded a route again into the sport in opposition to Chelsea once they have been denied a penalty and there’s no denying they’ve had a tricky begin to the marketing campaign.

All three of their house defeats have come in opposition to groups enjoying in Europe this season, whereas they continue to be unbeaten on the street having collected 4 factors from journeys throughout the capital to Crystal Palace and Fulham.

A quirk of the fixture laptop means Lopetegui has solely simply taken cost of his first recreation exterior of the capital, and it will not be till November 2 at Nottingham Forest that supporters will enterprise exterior of London once more.

By that point, the brand new supervisor will hope there’s a very completely different outlook on the inauspicious begin he has made.

West Ham’s subsequent six video games

Saturday – Brentford (A), kick-off 3pm

October 5 – Ipswich City (H), kick-off 3pm

October 19 – Tottenham (A), kick-off 12.30pm

October 27 – Manchester United (H), kick-off 2pm

November 2 – Nottingham Forest (A), kick-off 3pm

November 9 – Everton (H), kick-off 3pm