Rather like an appointment for root canal surgery at the dentist, there comes a time when the preference is just to get on with it, however bad it may be, so that recovery can start out the other side of the ‘D’ day. Unfortunately as West Ham fans we don’t even get that luxury because once the dreaded away game at Newcastle on Monday week is behind us, the small matter of Arsenal on 30th November at home is like a follow up visit for more radical dental surgery – likely to be equally painful.
Nothing we have seen suggests anything other than heavy defeats await in these two fixtures: West Ham will be teetering close to the Premier League drop zone by that stage and it is at that point that the axe must surely be wielded by the West Ham board. Wheras David Moyes was given a string of ‘last chances’ – owing to his trophy success there was always a case to give him every opportunity: Lopetegui has nothing in the ‘plus’ column to suggest, given time, he might turn this woeful chaos around.
Once the Arsenal game is endured, the Hammers face a softer run of fixtures which would be the only possible time to introduce a new head coach. Leicester City, Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton await in December before the now-customary expected defeat against Liverpool on 29th December finishes the year off. January 2025 starts with the challenges of Manchester City and Villa to play, so the Hammers’ only real chance to drag themselves up the table is that crucial December run of 5 fixtures with 15 points up for grabs. If Lopetegui is still in place for those games, I fear we really will be in a relegation battle come January.
As sports.yahoo.com write today:” West Ham must move quickly to appoint Potter…West Ham have an ageing squad, and there’s plenty of room for redevelopment. Potter did an incredible job at Brighton & Hove Albion, and there’s no reason why he can’t replicate that at West Ham if he is properly backed.
He was one of the architects behind developing Brighton’s recruitment model (arguably one of the best in the Premier League), and he could be perfect for West Ham.”
Apparently, according to the report, Potter is open to a return to a Premier League club only if he can influence the rest of their season. The time to act is nigh, unless miracles occur, Lopetegui must be jettisoned if the next two fixtures yield ‘nil points’
Whether it is Potter, Terzic or any one of the ‘free agent’ options championed by different pundits- at the moment I don’t care. This joyless, entertainment-free brand of ‘chaos ball’ is in danger of sucking my enthusiasm away from being very interested any more. Providing it isn’t Frank Lampard, The only way would be up.
What is our Obsession with Frank Lampard?
It’s been 20 years and if Frank Lampard was the Best option on the market I’d take him all day long. BUT HE ISN’T.
All the comments are true, WHU dismal to watch and the players look less than inspired, lack of energy, heart and desire. No to Mourinho, Lampard or Benitez 100% agree.
Potter certainly, but how about Lee Carsley? England were good to watch and it was brilliant to see the speed and ability the youngsters brought – except for that one game. With our U21s & U18s on the way, he surely would integrate them into the squad quickly and for more than 6 mins at the end of a match.
Lee Carsley does play an exciting brand of football but does have the luxury of having the best players in the country 🏴
He has inherited possibly the best generation of young players and as England fan I hope he keeps up his amazing work with the U21’s
Hoeness at Stuttgart transformed a team in the drop zone and then finished 2nd the following season against established sides with bigger budgets.
His experience of transforming a club that are in exactly our situation makes him for me the best option.
I’m not sure Carsley could do that tbh
Yes tough couple of games and if form is anything to go by it’s two defeats coming up. Yet I hate this defeatist attitude we are now in, and what is this “customary defeat to Liverpool” lark. Is that what we are down too now? There seems to be nothing of a positive nature connected to West Ham,from the Board,DoF,Manager,players and even the fans. And it all stems from the way we are playing,or rather not playing. I’m sure that most fans would forego a few dodgy results if we could actually see a style of play developing and some free flowing football. So yes, I believe that unless it’s something very positive in our next two games we should bite the bullet and find another manager and as stated there are a few good options currently available. Frank Lampard not included.
Actions on the pitch is what determines how us fans feel. If there was any positivity from this seasons performances then we would give JLo more time.
Unfortunately time is up and it’s clear to see we need to stop the rot and act swiftly!
Well said, especially about Lampard!
Why do you assume the same bloke who picked Lopetegui, will make a better appointment this time?
He isn’t a fan of Potter (according to Steinberg in the Guardian) and given how he normally picks his managers, would surely regard Terzic as too inexperienced.
He won’t pay compensation and he likes managers to have experience managing in the PL. I’d suggest we’re looking at either Benitez (who he is known to be a fan of) or a return of David Moyes. As much as I don’t want to give him any credit, I don’t think he’s stupid enough to appoint Frank Lampard…unless his agent is Bill ****house, in which case we might have to brace ourselves.
I think there will be an even bigger disconnect from the fans if we appoint Moyes or Benitez!
Who in their right mind would pay to watch a team with either of those two at West Ham?!
I don’t disagree but it’s Sullivan that will be choosing. So it will be free, available and the one he considers the safest option.
He doesn’t give a toss what the fans think or of any disconnect. He had no issue taking away concessions after all.
Fans will still go regardless (despite moaning), he knows that.
After his car crash managerial appointments Sully shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the selection or interview process!
I read a very interesting piece on West Ham Till I die today by HamburgHammer. Give it a read as he nails the current mood.
I think season ticket sales and crowds will drop drastically due to the disconnect.
Why waste money when fans are fed up with the same old same old.
Fans should not attend until they take fans seriously.
If Sully treats us with such utter contempt and views fans as customers, then why pay for damaged goods?
It’s the only way to enforce change!
Due diligence must be applied to our next appointment for the head coach position.
I agree we need to act swiftly to remove JLo as under new management we have a serious chance after the Arsenal game to climb the table.
Free and available should not be the criteria when considering who can take the club onwards and upwards.
West Ham’s annual turnover of £237million is the highest in the Premier League outside of the ‘Big Six’ clubs.
It is time we acted and appointed a coach that matches the above instead of lacklustre individuals.
Totally agree,saving money on Jlo release clause is academic compared with money the final league position provides.
You pay for what you get for in life!
Buy cheap – buy twice if it’s a product.
It’s time to ditch the inferior quality cheaper options (strikers and coach) as they tend to be not fit for purpose, damaged goods and most people with any sense give them a swerve.
Get the best innovative products (coach) and you get better quality (entertainment) more options (tactics), benefits (points) and they last longer (hopefully 3-5 years)
He would have been gone after the Everton game had it been my decision. There’s no sign of any improvement and I’d be amazed if we get anything worthwhile from the Newcastle and Arsenal games.
Nothing would please me more than if I was wrong but I cannot see it and it seems to me very like we’re fiddling while Rome burns.
At any other club I agree the home game against Everton was the ideal time to say adios JLo.
I’m just hoping that during this international break conversations have taken place and coaches have been met in private.