West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted that his side is still in the early stages of implementing a new playing style.
Following the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in todays pre-season friendly, the Spaniard highlighted the positive aspects of the team’s performance while also acknowledging the areas that need improvement. Lopetegui emphasised the importance of hard work and dedication as the team prepares for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
On the West Ham official site, he said:
Tonight was to show us that we have 15 days in front of us to keep on working very hard and to try to evolve the players we have as soon as possible, and the new players, too.
We have 15 days to keep working and keep going to put the team in the best way for the first step that is, of course, the first Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Of course, we have to improve on a lot of things and I think maybe more or less the same as the Wolves game, until 60 minutes we have been balanced in the match.
After, we have to analyse and ensure we are able to do better, to defend better and don’t concede easy goals. I think we have to change this.
We are working hard and we know that we have worked very, very hard, so it’s possible that the legs were a little bit tired, so I think we have two days until we go back to London, then we will start the new week with new energy knowing that we have one other friendly match in our stadium to be ready for the key date which is Aston Villa.
With the new season just around the corner, Lopetegui is focused on fine-tuning the squad’s tactics and fitness levels to ensure a strong start to the campaign.
No ones mentioned we did beat palace 3-0 in an earlier game of 30mins each way.
so not all gloom and doom.
A game is 90 minutes
Yes normally but it was a 60 minute game
The game was pretty dire to watch but hopefully when we get the new players in things will change, still not too sure about Killerman, maybe he is still bedding in ? Crystal palace and Wolves look up for it , as yet we don’t but as I keep being told “it’s only pre season ” I can only hope they are right. COYI.
A games 90 mins except when its not, never heard of short sided games, or extra time, or even 30mins each way?what type of football fan are you.
As Tom states, there was a prior 30 mins each way friendly ‘behind closed doors’ which wasn’t televised. This was arranged in case the weather stopped the main game from taking place. WHU won three-nil for the record, and Bowen, Paqueta Cornet and Ings all played in this game.
I remember many years ago that West Ham had a fantastic pre-season winning every game. When the season started we did not have a point after four games.
Pre-season games are just part of a training regime. The team that faces Villa will look very different with the new signings and our International players like Bowen and Paquetta back in the side.
I know it’s a different sport, but still elite sport, but for the rugby World Cup, in the warm ups England didn’t do well, and it was said they had trained so hard they were tired in the warmups. Then, this training must have paid off and we were a point and 3 minutes away from the final.
So, I would rather lose the warmups, benefit greatly from the time away together, and then do well when it counts. Fingers crossed, while still understanding the burden of being a hammer…
We played mostly moyes players what do you expect ? When we put out our first eleven when it counts we will be up for it and the results will happen!!! KEEP THE FAITH COYI