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

[Far Cough UKunt]

Our new manager will likely come from this list of managers (at the bottom of the page):

Unique Sports Group - Players Agency - Player agents | Transfermarkt

Is Will Still, still willing to take the job?

[Lee Trundle]

Our new manager will likely come from this list of managers (at the bottom of the page):

Unique Sports Group - Players Agency - Player agents | Transfermarkt

[Massive Attack]

I see Terzic now being linked if things go from bad to worse?  Did well based on time at Dortmund ( results wise ) but has he performed well elsewhere or is Dortmund his first head coach / manager role? Ideally a coach has shown he can improve multiple teams but I guess thats sort of why Sully goes for “experience”? However, that dont work either

Someone like say Lopetegui, you mean?

[Russ of the BML]

Hmmm Terzic resigned after fisty cuffs with Hummelscwho publicly on TV said the manager’s tactics were awful. Fans agreed as he had turned them into a Moyesball team that could only finish 2nd after a first year of success winning a cup and top 4 inthe league. Sounds like “second season syndrome” so Im not thinking he’s the new messiah?

Hummels comments on Tv that led to punch up:

“I didn't think it could go on like this. I felt insulted in my honour to stand on the pitch in that kit. So submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. The two Stuttgart games and the away game in Leverkusen. That was barricading with 11 men in the box.'

Hummels not a fan, then? 

[Sir Alf]

“Only finish 5th” even

[Sir Alf]

Hmmm Terzic resigned after fisty cuffs with Hummelscwho publicly on TV said the manager’s tactics were awful. Fans agreed as he had turned them into a Moyesball team that could only finish 2nd after a first year of success winning a cup and top 4 inthe league. Sounds like “second season syndrome” so Im not thinking he’s the new messiah?

Hummels comments on Tv that led to punch up:

“I didn't think it could go on like this. I felt insulted in my honour to stand on the pitch in that kit. So submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. The two Stuttgart games and the away game in Leverkusen. That was barricading with 11 men in the box.'

[Sir Alf]

Ireola seems the best candidate followed by Frank. Both able to get their teams performing above what might be expected given their relatively modest budgets / resources.  

I see Terzic now being linked if things go from bad to worse?  Did well based on time at Dortmund ( results wise ) but has he performed well elsewhere or is Dortmund his first head coach / manager role? Ideally a coach has shown he can improve multiple teams but I guess thats sort of why Sully goes for “experience”? However, that dont work either

[RBshorty]

Teriz is being linked with us and Milan. From the Fatherland. Would seem highly unlikely Edin would want to return and work with Sullivan.?

[Takashi Miike]

Not sure Glasner will be released but I like him. Also Frank, Silva, Ireola


Sadly the midget cսnt will like Dyche, Bruce, Pulis, Warnock, or anyone connected to one of his agent friends

[Lee Trundle]

It seems like even Guillem Balague has given up on him, as there's been no sly tweets from him supporting his MATE recently.

[Mad Ferret]

Would take Glasner when he gets the boot at Palace.

[Toast]

First 8 league games under our last few managers

JL - 8pts (2 wins 2 draws)
Moyes - 5pts (1 win 2 draws)
Pellergrini 7pts (2 wins 1 draw)
Moyes - 8pts (2 wins 2 draws)
Bilic 14pts (4 wins 2 draws)

Yes, all were working under different circumstances but i find the impatience here astounding.

Taken from Kumb.

[Rossal]

Rossal 

He's been awful but he needs to be further up the pitch he comes far too deep for the ball at the moment.

At the right end of the pitch he is still capable of being a match winner in the blink of an eye.

Soler we haven't seen much of but he is a very tidy player, works hard who keeps the ball ticking in the right direction. He was at Valencia anyway.

This is a myth for me, think he has played about 60 games in the prem......5 non pen goals i think. He isn't half the creative midfielder fans think he is. 

Think Lingard has more non pen goals than him for us, in about a quarter of the games for reference. 

I said mid way through last season snap City's arm off for £85m.....be very very lucky to get half that now. Doesnt score much, doesnt assist. 

[goose]

Glasner might be available soon.

[Toast]

I love Paqueta, but he's a shell of the player we once knew.

I watch a lot of La Liga and Soler was a standout performer for Valencia, didn't get a proper chance in Paris, but make no mistake he is a very good footballer.

It remains to be seen of course, whether he can get up to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, but he has the tools to adapt, in my opinion.

[eusebiovic]

As I said before the season started the nicest thing that I can say about Soler is that he is a Spanish version of Mark Noble. Slightly better technically but maybe not such a good penalty taker. On the right hand side of a midfield 3 he has been pretty decent in the past. Not a winger though.

Make of that what you will 

 

[onsideman]

I'd keep as is, just take out Paqueta for Soler.

 

Taking out Paqueta has to be a given, but as for replacing him with Soler...? As I've said previously, as fas as I can tell the only thing he has going for him is that he isn't Paqueta

[Hammer and Pickle]

I’m not at all sure being sat on the bench is what the state-mind- doctor has ordered for Paqueta.

Or state-of-mind doctor even

[Hammer and Pickle]

I’m not at all sure being sat on the bench is what the state-mind- doctor has ordered for Paqueta.

[Massive Attack]

I don't quite know what to expect long-term but this manager was always going to be a risk.

He had a good spell with the Spain Under 21's & National Team and did very well with Sevilla but his spell at FC Porto was very underwhelming 





 

 

 

No it wasn't. In fact in his 1st season he was unlucky not to win the League with a points tally of 82 which would normally win a side the League title and a marked improvement on the previous season. They only lost twice, conceded 13 and scored 72. 

As well as reaching one of the domestic Cup Semi-Finals, he also reached the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League losing only once to get there before being beaten by Guardiolas Bayern Munich side, having beaten them 3-1 in the 1st Home Leg tie.

The geezer's overall managerial record more than holds up, not only by winning Trophies, but also qualifying and competing well in the Champions League with less fashionable Clubs like Sevilla and Porto. His Team's also generally score for fun and concede much less when running the rule over his goal differences when he lasts more than 5 minutes. 

That being said, make no bones about it, right now it isn't working for whatever reason. My suspicion all along would be it would take time to establish a more attacking, passing style of play after years of having to play the exact opposite not used to playing with the ball. I do see some encouraging signs like in the 1st half against Spurs, or 2 weeks ago against Ipswich where we do look good in possession at times popping it about but we ain't anywhere consistent enough which is frustrating. The Squads mentality is also weak and we are struggling to shake that mindset off from last season where we would equally fold with ease like vs Fulham, Palace, Chelsea, Arsenal last season. 

I think Lopetegui's tactics have been poor at times and that's on him. I previously stated against lesser opposition like Ipswich it's fine to play this aggressive 4141 formation but against Spurs with only Rodriguez effectively holding, we are asking for trouble sooner or later. You need at least a 2 in the middle against such opposition otherwise we'll get overrun like we was. In one way I was actually happy to see him acknowledge this by lining up 3 Subs soon after the 2nd half started again, but then fucked off when he dithered getting them on in which case it was all too late by then. 

I also think he needs a new Keeper in the January window/Summer window he can fully rely on and trust. Too often Areolas distribution and general Keeping is poor. Yes, he is capable of the sublime reaction save but it seems its then followed up bu a string of ridiculous errors where hes either caught flapping, conceding own goals or getting beat time and again from his near post. I don't mind him as a back-up but as a permanent No.1 I want to see us go after a younger shit hot Keeper who you can rely heavily on. And if we are to transition more in to a slick, passing side from back to front, then a new Keeper is a must. 

Time to get in Alvarez, Soler and Summerville in to the side so to get the Team right up to full speed in energy, body and mind as I reckon that'll make a big difference in the short to medium term. 

Paqueta also needs some time out of the Team, wr cannot continue to carry him in his current state of mind. It does neither him or us any favours as he's simply not the same player with the weight of the world on his mind for obvious reasons. 

[eusebiovic]

Rossal 

He's been awful but he needs to be further up the pitch he comes far too deep for the ball at the moment.

At the right end of the pitch he is still capable of being a match winner in the blink of an eye.

Soler we haven't seen much of but he is a very tidy player, works hard who keeps the ball ticking in the right direction. He was at Valencia anyway.

[Rossal]

On what planet is anyone starting Paqueta this weekend 

[RBshorty]

Steinberg in The Guardian now saying "Julian Lopetegui not in imminent danger of being sacked by West Ham."

However. He does mention internal questions are being asked about Tim Steiden influence in signing Niclus Fullkrug.!

[eusebiovic]

I would go for Álvarez - Soler - Paqueta

However, it would require pace on the wings as well as the full backs constantly over-lapping each other.

Currently, this appears doable. 

What do I know? 

[Hammer and Pickle]

I’d go Guido, Alvarez and Paqueta in a 433. The Chelsea game was a case of the wrong formation being tried.