In an interview with the official site, West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. Despite the loss, Lopetegui believes the Hammers showed positive signs and played competitively against one of the best teams in the world.
Lopetegui praised West Ham’s second-half performance, highlighting their improved play and possession. However, he emphasised the importance of converting chances against top-tier teams like Manchester City.
The Hammers boss highlighted the change in direction of style from his side, with West Ham no longer operating a counter-attack system against an opponent of Manchester City’s quality.
“We were able to show we are not only a counter-attacking team,” said the Spaniard. “We dominated a big team, but for all this, you cannot take advantage of all these things if you don’t score.”
He also acknowledged that West Ham made defensive errors that led to goals and he stressed the need to improve in this area to compete at the highest level.
The recent signing of Carlos Soler is expected to strengthen West Ham’s midfield. Lopetegui believes Soler’s experience and quality will be a valuable asset to the team.
He went on to say: “I think that Carlos Soler is a good player and he is going to help us, for sure,” added the Head Coach.
“He is maybe at his best age, as he’s 27, he has international experience and is a very good player.
“He has a good profile for us as he can play in different positions and I think he is going to help us to be better.”
Got to say I am feeling really positive for the coming season and going forward. Love the work of Tim and Julen, modern and proactive, and I really enjoyed how we played going forward against City. I know there were mistakes, and yes we have lost the first two home games, nobody wants that. But the way we were shaping up and wanting to play on the front foot was a good feeling, complete contrast to the last dozen games last season where we not only got stuffed plenty of times but we played that awful Moyes block and boot it upfield stuff. No, I like the look of what Julen is doing, much more West Ham to me.
Ditto!
What a load of malarkey , from where I was sitting it was no difference to a Moyes like performance if this is what we got to look forward to god help us , loads of new signings same old problems , can’t defend , can’t pass, seriously not impressed ?