Lopetegui (sacked 8.1.2025)

[maverick180]

I was thoroughly looking forward to the start of this season

Was also prepared that things might take some time and wasn't expecting miracles over night What I didn't expect was a manager who after spending 6 weeks with the total dross he'd been left by Moyes would deem them fit to start in a premier league game And low and behold all of them played absolute shit

We're now 1 game in and none of our new players are any closer to bedding in or learning anything from their new team mates cos they barely spent a second on the pitch, half of them not at all I think it's gonna take somewhere between 6-10 games before we see the team anyone with an ounce of sense would play cos this bloke can't identify shit when he see's it I thought we was handed a miracle at half time when we went in level and low and behold he changed nothing I'm sure people are gonna make excuses for him and say it's too early to judge

But from what I've just seen today, this cսnt is David Moyes in a mission impossible mask

[BillyJenningsBoots]

Interesting stat.It seems that far from being amongst the major transgressors, West Ham United are second only to Manchester City in their solidity when ‘playing out from the back’ this season!

West Ham have lost possession when playing out from the back a total of four times this season leading to their opposition getting a shot in. Manchester City just twice. The worst culprits Newcastle United have had possession turned over a staggering 15 times leading to shots – and we’ve only had six games.

The report also highlights ‘defensive errors leading to shots and goals’ where Southampton, bottom of the PL, are ahead of the pack with 0.67 goals per game coming from errors and Manchester United fourth with 0.5 goals per game coming from errors. West Ham are again way down with ‘just’ 0.17 goals per game coming from defensive errors!

Those stats re defensive errors clearly dont include defenders switching off, leaving players unmarked or jogging back when out of position...

Having said that we've been unlucky that when the ball has dropped the opposition have been clinical especially compared to our finishing which has been woeful.

But agree with onsideman pick players in their best positions, he's got to let Kudus play down the middle and Bowen on the left if he's going to get the best out of them. Either drop Paqueta or play him deep with Alvarez. Only concern is Paq loses the ball a lot near our 18 yd box...

I know Soucek scores but he offers so little otherwise and means another player is out of position... 

[Lee Trundle]

I wasn't 100% about moving on from Moyes given the only time the board have got the manager right has been Allardyce and Moyes but thought Loppy was a sideways move, a very typical "sell the sizzle" Sullivan deal...."ex real Madrid" and so on.


 

It's exactly that.

You look at the managers that have failed at Real Madrid (not won a trophy) in recent years:
Pellegrini
Lopetegui
Benitez

And Sullivan was desperate for Benitez for years.

[onsideman]

Well, those stats are ridiculous.

I reckon our errors leading to goals count is currently a lofty 7 (1 vs Villa, 2 vs City, 2 vs Chelsea, 1 vs Fulham and 1 vs Brentford)

[Sir Alf]

Be interesting to know how many times we have attempted to play out from the back versus other teams? Teams trying it more obviously open to lose it far more often

[CanningTownWA]

Interesting stat.It seems that far from being amongst the major transgressors, West Ham United are second only to Manchester City in their solidity when ‘playing out from the back’ this season!

West Ham have lost possession when playing out from the back a total of four times this season leading to their opposition getting a shot in. Manchester City just twice. The worst culprits Newcastle United have had possession turned over a staggering 15 times leading to shots – and we’ve only had six games.

The report also highlights ‘defensive errors leading to shots and goals’ where Southampton, bottom of the PL, are ahead of the pack with 0.67 goals per game coming from errors and Manchester United fourth with 0.5 goals per game coming from errors. West Ham are again way down with ‘just’ 0.17 goals per game coming from defensive errors!

[Frankie Pankie]

What I dont get about this season is why the Lopmiester is tearing it up and starting again. Kudus was deadly last season, Bowen also but now its all a hodgepodge.

OK we are unbeaten away but its been a no-scence struggle where we've ridden our luck and been played off the park at home.

I wasn't 100% about moving on from Moyes given the only time the board have got the manager right has been Allardyce and Moyes but thought Loppy was a sideways move, a very typical "sell the sizzle" Sullivan deal...."ex real Madrid" and so on.

I will back him as it's early days still but I'm not understanding a lot of whats been going on, chasing a game and brings on Cresswell type stuff.

 

[stubbo-admin]

Was he the safe manager option?

He was Salthouse's option.  That's probably the main factor.

Depends if by 'safe' what you really mean is 'cheap'.

[Texas Iron]

One word…

Clusterfuck…!!!

[Lee Trundle]

Was he the safe manager option?

He was Salthouse's option.  That's probably the main factor.

[ATHammer]

He wasn't my choice and I signed the petition against appointing him. When appointed I wanted to get behind him and give him time to impose a style and progress from years of dross. A few games in I see no style whatsoever developing. Worse, there is public bickering about who signed/wanted which player. Even worse our three best attacking players, Bowen, Paqueta and Kudus look poor under his leadership with noises around dissent in the ranks. One out of form? they are human and it happens, but all three at the same time? no way, that is a more fundamental problem.
Clearly Sullivan signing another 'safe manager' to follow in the Grant, Allardyce and Moyes mould.
He is a change from Moyes, like horseshit is different from dogshit, but he doesn't look anything like progress at this point in time.
And there lies the problem, Sullivan and his piss poor stewardship of our club where survival and commercial success are the be all and end all of his ambition. Should results continue in the current vein, a club record 3 consecutive opening home defeats and a repeat of the 5 goal mauling by the victims, then no doubt Loppy will go but it is Sullivan and Brady we really need shot off to see actual progress.   

[stubbo-admin]

Sir Alf:

Well...we had Declan Rice!  

[Sir Alf]

Not saying Loppy and his changes ate not a part of it but its usually a combination of factors. Recruitment not matching tactical needs, tactics and training etc, players physical and mental condition, fixtures, VAR / refs just a few of the contributors. Although obviously the new coach , recruitment match to tactical needs and demands of the Premiership are 2 of the big ones. But also Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta all looking off the pace. Might have nothing to do with a busy summer but cant help not having a rest and reset.  Hasrland’s great start supposedly down to an inactive summer? 

Still think the biggest problem is no strong, quick  striker and lack of pace / athleticism, movement in central midfield. It will remain a problem regardless of coach / manager IMO and dates back arguably to before Zola.  Level of speed and pressing, counter pressing has just intensified over the last 15 years and requires at least one central midfield player who is quick, strong, has great technique and an engine.  We’ve never had that type of player have we?  We’ve had some great technicians ( Payet etc) but never a Caicedo, Kante, type?   

[Lee Trundle]

I'd love for our players to struggle as much as 4 goals in 6 games Watkins is.  Still, they have Duran to fall back on who somehow managed to play in international games this summer and came back firing.

Not sure why you're trying to dig so hard to blame it all on the players, Sir Alf, when the answer is right there in front of you.

[Sir Alf]

Does seem that some players who did not get a proper rest over the summer and were in the AFCON, or Euros or Concaf? Thing seem to be struggling to find form. Not sure about other clubs but I did notice some Villa fan saying Watkins is struggling a bit too? 

 

[Russ of the BML]

Until Lope plays Paqueta in midfield next to a DM and puts Kudus central as a 10 we won't improve. Simple. We can all see it. And he needs to just stick with Todibo and Kilman as CBs and let them build up a partnership. There's too much nobbing about at the moment. Just play the best players in their positions. Fuck me. 

[Russ of the BML]

I get the impression that Lope doesn't do personal man management very well. If it was me I would be telling Bowen, Paqueta and Kudus in private that they are the main man. Put an arm round them and tell them they are our most important player. That's what Paqueta and Kudus need. Not Bowen so much. But the other two need love and attention. It's all well and good being Mr Tough and telling them there is 'No I in Team' but sometimes you have to be cute and subtle. I don't think Lope is capable of that. 

Mmmm, a bit cliched, you think the old arm around the shoulder, Redknapp style, and all will be well and Paqueta will then start passing the ball to a team mate? Moyes never did that. Anyway, we're all just guessing here.

Yep. You are almost certainly right. It is cliched and probably wouldn't work. I just feel that there are certain players that love to be loved. It's a big deal for them. Paq and Kudus appear that way. I mean, I suppose, it couldn't hurt could it? But yeah, we are guessing so probably a mute point. 

[onsideman]

For me, it's pretty easy.  Paqueta plays as a number 8 for Brazil perfectly well, so I'd play him there.  Kudus plays as a number 10 for Ghana, so I'd play him there.  Summerville on the left, and Bowen on the right.
 

Get out of here with your commonsense

[Lee Trundle]

We've got problems all over the pitch now.

He hasn't fixed the leaky defence (after spending almost £100m on improving it), our midfield looks like an open chasm, and our attackers suddenly have become an issue, with OG (sign him up!) our highest top goal scorer.

It's a mess.

[Moncurs Putting Iron]

Having accused Maverick of early bed wetting I am now enquiring about the costs of Tena Geezers myself.

We are consistently playing less than the sum of our considerably talented (On paper anyway) parts,  Our midfield is consistently bypassed and the defence don't put one up on when it happens.

Heads are starting to lower in the crowd and amongst the team.

The manager is to blame.

[Manuel]

Yep it really has become a big issue, and to a lesser extent Bowen too. I'm sure football was never this complicated. It seems to dominate so many conversations which is why it probably winds me up. It use to be oh he was shit or he was good, but now the verdict comes with caveats, at least on here anyway. Someone on here said recently that one of our new players maybe hasn't played well yet 'coz he hasn't got his kids in a school yet, as if he's thinking about that in the midst of battle on a Saturday afternoon.

[Lee Trundle]

Following on from that, it's obvious that Lopetegui has no idea what to do with them either.

How many positions have Kudus and Paqueta asked to play so far so early in the season?  They've both played in at least 3 positions so far.

That screams to me that he has no clue what to do with them, and I'm not convinced playing them in every position possible will suddenly play them into form.

Reminds me of the recent AJ fight where he was told to roll the dice hoping something might happen as you're completely out of ideas.

[Lee Trundle]

I reckon it was the tactics and formation that let us down against Chelsea.

I doubt many would have played 3 at the back, especially with Alverez there, with wing backs.

The sad thing is, no one really has any idea where to play Paqueta and Kudus.  I've seen so many suggestions on here.

For me, it's pretty easy.  Paqueta plays as a number 8 for Brazil perfectly well, so I'd play him there.  Kudus plays as a number 10 for Ghana, so I'd play him there.  Summerville on the left, and Bowen on the right.

Fuck knows who I'd play up front.  God knows why we didn't solve that issue this summer.

[Manuel]

Lee - Ok, but the front three were what we wanted and Paqueta was central. I remember reading comments before and after the game that we got the line up that we all wanted. Maybe it's the same elsewhere, but this board is forever harping on about players best positions as if that will fix everything, but it won't.

[Lee Trundle]

You sure about that, Manual?

Alverez playing at centre back in some kind of dodgy 3 man defence with a gaping space in the centre of the pitch?

The formation and tactics against Chelsea was an abomination, I thought.

[threesixty]

I wonder whether Bowen wants to be a no.9 as if he keeps playing there for us will he be able to keep his England place?