It seems that Julen Lopetegui has been backed in the morning and is in charge for the Wolves match, though it's now seen as a must-win game. That's probably the right decision, as sacking him now would have left West Ham with a caretaker in charge for a vital match. Loppy has another game to offer the fans some glimpse of hope, but what's worrying is that so far he doesn't know his best team and there isn't a convincing system. Even in the early days of Moyes you could see progress being made and the side becoming more solid despite initially poor results.
The high backline really isn't working with Kilman, Todibo and Mavropanos slow on the turn and it would be nice to have full backs who stayed in their position. Pep might have played inverted full-backs but it doesn't work at WHU. Wan-Bissaka is one of the best tacklers in the Premier League but seems to be playing anywhere but right-back, while the midfield lacks legs, though Soler looks like he might provide more dynamism.
Meanwhile Arsenal are scoring numerous goals from set-pieces yet Loppy has loaned out Ward-Prowse one of the best corner-takers in football and we've only scored once from a set-piece. The other dilemma is how to get the best out of a forward line featuring Bowen, Kudus, Summerville and Fullkrug.
The Wolves game is vital but just as important will be the following games against Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton. If Lopetegui can't offer a road map towards better times then he'll surely be gone by Christmas.
2 comments:
I fear another Avram Grant situation. Sneaking an occasional win so that Sullivan doesn’t pull the trigger and sleepwalking towards relegation. I hope not.
You could be right I fear.
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