Fullkrug off the mark on a dark night for Lopetegui
Five changes for West Ham tonight, Mavropanos and Coufal at the back, Alvarez in midfield and Kudus plus Ings starting. And Niclas Fullkrug on the bench. Late start under the lights at Leicester. Early alarm bells – what else- as Vardy beat the offside trap and scored – linesman stuck his flag up but the first replay showed him on line. On side. Goal. 2 minutes and West Ham are behind. Vardy rolling back the years.
5 Minutes later and Vardy in again. This time saved by Fabianski into the side netting, Gaping holes down the right for Vardy to walk through at present. West Ham into gear a few moments later as Bowen has a shot saved – corner. Shortly after and Ings is denied by the post, heading onto the base of the woodwork from Bowen’s cross. It is noticeable how advanced Soler and Soucek are, often they are the Hammers furthest forward.
25 Minutes gone and again I am – as is customary each game now – in awe of the tackling prowess of Aaron Wan Bissaka, sticking out a telescopic leg to stop a Leicester break away. Hammers come close twice in short succession, Soucek heading wide and Bowen shooting across the goal after good work by Kudus on both occasions. Noticeable how Kudus is running with his head up and passing the ball more, instead of running into cul-de-sacs.
Another save from a Bowen effort leads to a Hammers corner from which Soler shoots wide. Getting closer. How many chances is that? 20 efforts on goal, West Ham’s highest ever in the Premier league. Half time and am I being dramatic when I suggest Lopetegui has 45 minutes to save his job?
Ings off for Summerville at half time so finally some of us get the front line we wanted for weeks. Kudus on the right, Bowen central.
Bowen immediately running through and putting Kudus in, centres to Soucek who shoots over. Signs that this rejigged Hammers’ attack will carry more threat. Indeed, shortly after, Kudus’ deflected shot is well saved for a corner. Away fans very vocal this evening. Foxes now struggling to get out of their half- surely there is a Hammers’ reply coming soon. Goalkeeper makes a hash of a punch under challenge from Soucek, the ball crosses the line but the referee blows for a foul. You can’t touch the keeper. Maybe one of those evenings when the ball just won’t go in? Still 30 minutes to go yet.
And would you believe it, Leicester’s first foray out of their half and a goal. A wide ball to the left on the break and good finish past a diving Fabianski. A very long way back for West Ham now. Lopetegui makes a triple change, Antonio, Paquetá and Emerson and coming on for the Czechs and Soler. Interesting, no Fullkrug.
It was almost three – Fabianski saving well from Ndidi header. This could be a very painful last 25 minutes with Lopetegui cutting a disconsolate figure muttering to himself. A goal-line clearance denies Summerville and Lopetegui’s mutterings continue complete with arm waving. Finally, 75 minutes gone and the rare Niclas Fullkrug gets ready. On for Kudus. ‘Getting sacked in the morning’ rings out’. Not sure if that is only from the Leicester fans.
Leicester grab a third after Fabianski could only parry a shot into Decordova-Reid’s path. This very long VAR check eventually reprieves West Ham from the third if not the loss. Can we just go home please and fast forward these last ten minutes? 29 efforts on goal, Hammers’ highest ever. This against the side who have just one clean sheet in the Premier League.
A break down the left and lazy defending from Kilman – the forty million man remember, gave Leicester a third. I’m fully expecting to wake up tomorrow to the news that Lopetegui has been fired. We need to be put out of our misery. Fullkrug still has time to head in from a corner to get off the mark but there wasn’t even a ripple of applause. The away fans had long since gone for a beer.
OK people, look on the bright side, this has to be it for Lopetegui. I am sitting here with baited breath just waiting for the headline that confirms his dismissal. For that reason alone, I am happy to see West Ham lose. Please don’t make me wait until Monday and please don’t anybody suggest that there is any chance this idiot can retrieve the situation. I don’t want Potter or for that matter any of the popular picks, but Noble as an interim and buy time to consider might work.
Hope you can hold your baited breath for a long time Ray because this is Sullivan we are
dealing with here.
Yet another shambles. result shows this manager has not a clue. West ham are goign to have to dig deep and get someone who knows what they are doing in the dugout,the cost of getting rid of Lopetigui will be a lot less than demotion. Don’t delay.
Now is the time to stop f*cking about with out of work coaches and get Hoeness before some other clued up club with vision appoints him!
That simple facts are-
We are agonizingly slow, AND lose shape, quickly.
Players are playing out of position.
No one seems to know their role,
There seems to be no understanding between players.
JLo was not the answer to our problems.
Plenty of possession but few real chances.The defence is as bad as last season.
We made a very ordinary team look brilliant tonight
Lopetegui has to go and NOW but I bet that little weasel Sullivan won’t pull the trigger.
JLo has to go, just a shame he can’t take Sully & Brady with him!
F*** it/ done.
Kilman £40 million bag of manure, Mavrapanos – you f****** fraud you can play, saw it against England at Wembley, Coufal – just f*** off back to Potato salad land, Soucek please get a career ending injury, Ings you money grabbing Berkley Hunt retire NOW.. Antonio become a Porn Star, Paqueta get found guilty and have the electric chair –
CANNOT GET WORSE
I feel p****d off after that result but your comment is so funny and true 😂
I thought I was raging until I read this 🤣
Makes me feel like a stoned Buddha and zen as f*ck compared to you mate / bravo 👏
Never my choice of manager I was glad when moyes got boot but at this rate biggest mistake for me seeing potter tonight makes me think his our next manager but Jlo has to go or we are in a relegation dog fight and we this clueless Spaniard at the helm going down get potter now can’t take anymore of this nonsense
Was he ever anyones choice other than Sullivan ?
Nope 👎
Dwarf dosent rate potter . It’s going to conciceo or terzic .
It should be Hoeness 100% best we can get.
It won’t be though as I think you’re right.
If this result doesn’t get Lopetegui and the Snider the sack then we deserve all we get I dont mind the loss but i do when the wrong team is playing through pride or stubbornness whilst better playrs are on the bench
Just sack him.
First impressions……I’m f*****g sick of this s**t
I’ll come back when I’ve calmed down
We just got Moyse’d.
Exactly.
Moyes was not the dinosaur some make him out to be (Not that I want him back)
Leicester were outplayed at home, yet got away to a 3-1 victory…
We just got Jlo’d more like 😡