Julen Lopetegui and West Ham: Team selection, tactics, slow starts - what's going wrong for new Hammers boss?
Julen Lopetegui has faced heavy criticism from West Ham fans for his team selection and tactics after just five Premier League games; Hammers sit 14th on four points and Lopetegui has vowed to learn from his mistakes ahead of the visit to Brentford
Friday 27 September 2024 11:16, UK
Amid West Ham's late slide at Anfield on Wednesday, manager Julen Lopetegui stamped the ground in annoyance and hurt himself in the process.
The Spaniard had witnessed his side surrender a lead and capitulate alarmingly in the last 16 minutes of their Carabao Cup third-round tie at Liverpool.
The contest was over once Edson Alvarez was sent off moments after Mohamed Salah put the hosts 3-1 ahead, and Lopetegui was then forced to sit down for the remainder of the game.
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"I have one little injury in my calf," he admitted after limping into the room for his post-match press conference. He was later spotted leaving the stadium on crutches.
It has been a bruising start to life at West Ham for the former Wolves manager.
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Before the October international break, West Ham face a trip to Brentford before hosting Ipswich - and they already have the feel of high-pressure games Lopetegui can ill-afford to lose.
Has the brand of football improved?
Having put together a glittering coaching CV over the past two decades, leading Sevilla to Europa League glory alongside his success with Spain at various age levels, there was plenty of excitement surrounding Lopetegui's arrival.
David Moyes had led West Ham to their first trophy in 43 years with Europa Conference success but many supporters felt the time had come for a change in the summer in the interest of all parties.
One sentiment stood out from Moyes towards the end of his tenure - one which he repeated on the Up Front podcast with Simon Jordan.
"I've been the manager - and I couldn't tell you what the West Ham Way is," he said. "Nobody could define (it), but whatever it was, I apparently didn't play it."
Moyes' pragmatism which frustrated some has not been replaced by a thrill-a-minute under Lopetegui - but that ought not to have been expected given his style. That said, the club showed their ambition in the transfer market.
Moyes can reflect on having the best points-per-game average of any manager with 20-plus games in the club's history, but it was not enough to shake off his reputation as a coach known above all for his structure and organisation.
Lopetegui will soon be faced with the same line of questions if results and performances don't improve.
Tasked with bringing forth the "next step in West Ham United's new and growing football strategy" when he was unveiled as Moyes' successor last May, Lopetegui has overseen four defeats in seven games since taking charge.
The "clear football philosophy, flexible tactical approach, competitive character and man-management skills" which were highlighted at the time of his appointment have not been visible across the past two games in particular, in which the Hammers have shipped eight goals.
West Ham spiralled to second 5-1 loss against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in successive seasons leaving concerns over whether Lopetegui is the right man to build on the strong foundations put in place by Moyes.
Paul Merson told Sky Sports: "I think he needs time, there's no doubt, but they're in trouble.
"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's got to learn how to defend. He's probably got caught up in a situation where he's come in and thought he can't be like David Moyes because the fans got rid of him for being a bit negative.
"But he is a bit like that himself. He's a manager who for me is a bit more 'make sure you don't lose if you don't win'. They look like they've tried to force it and then been caught at the back.
"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 winning this weekend, and if that is the case then he is right up against 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 fans expressed their dismay during the summer months after the club revealed plans to remove junior and Over-66 concessions for new season ticket holders throughout much of the London Stadium.
The scrapping of these price reductions has led to the cost for juniors and elderly supporters surging for the majority of seats.
Given those circumstances, it has been the worst possible time for the first-team to begin a league campaign with three consecutive home defeats for the first time in the club's history.
Lopetegui must ensure that anger doesn't start being directed predominantly towards him.
His substitutions against Chelsea were jeered by some of those who remained in the stands, but thousands had already left the ground 20 minutes before the final whistle.
Slow starts - and slow restarts
West Ham took the lead against Liverpool in cup action this week, but in the Premier League it has so far been their slow starts which has led to them playing catch-up. The reaction against Chelsea only came after Nicolas Jackson had scored twice.
This isn't a new issue under Lopetegui, however.
The Hammers have conceded five goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League games in 2024, at least three more than any other side.
It is perhaps therefore not the best time to be facing Brentford, who are fresh from breaking a Premier League record for scoring the earliest ever combination of opening goals in successive matches.
Bryan Mbeumo's volley against Tottenham after just 23 seconds made in the second match running the Bees had netted inside the first minute, doing so after 22 seconds at Manchester City.
What will alarm fans is that Chelsea scored a third just two minutes after the restart, and Liverpool scored their second in the 49th minute which places even more scrutiny on what instructions Lopetegui is giving his players just before leaving the dressing room.
Injuries no excuse - signings haven't clicked
This weekend's opponents Brentford currently have eight first-team players out injured - more than any other Premier League club.
West Ham, on the flip side, only have one absentee - striker Niclas Fullkrug, who has been missing after being injured on international duty with Germany.
Lopetegui cannot use the loss of key personnel as an excuse, but the new signings are yet to gel despite West Ham having spent £155m on nine new players.
Former player and coach Kevin Nolan was critical of £40m new signing Max Kilman's defending for Liverpool's equaliser.
Jean-Clair Todibo hasn't started a league game with Jamie Redknapp less than impressed by the defender's application and "failure to do the basics" as Liverpool ran riot.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is yet to represent an upgrade on the ageing Vladimir Coufal.
Against Chelsea, Guido Rodriguez was the fall-guy with his early withdrawal. Lopetegui failed to acknowledge him as he left the pitch, but West Ham looked outnumbered and overwhelmed in midfield. He later admitted he had made an error in starting with the Argentina midfielder.
Alvarez will serve a one-game suspension this weekend meaning Lopetegui may now need Rodriguez to dig him out of a hole.
Bad luck - and fixtures have been difficult
West Ham could easily have been afforded a route back into the game against Chelsea when they were denied a penalty and there is no denying they have had a tough start to the campaign.
All three of their home defeats have come against teams playing in Europe this season, while they remain unbeaten on the road having collected four points from trips across the capital to Crystal Palace and Fulham.
A quirk of the fixture computer means Lopetegui has only just taken charge of his first game outside of the capital, and it won't be until November 2 at Nottingham Forest that supporters will venture outside of London again.
By that time, the new manager will hope there is a very different outlook on the inauspicious start he has made.
Saturday - Brentford (A), kick-off 3pm
October 5 - Ipswich Town (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
