As Claret & Hugh has been reporting since West Ham’s 0-0 draw with Everton, the next two games will be make-or-break for Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg, who has excellent contacts within West Ham, has confirmed what C&H reported last week: if Lopetegui loses against Arsenal and Newcastle, his position will become untenable.
First up is Monday night’s tough fixture against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, where Eddie Howe’s team will welcome back several first-team players from injury. West Ham will then face Arsenal in the London Derby at home, an incredibly tough game against Mikel Arteta’s title chasers.
Currently 14th in the Premier League, back-to-back losses could see the Hammers drop to 16th, creating a significant gap between them and the clubs in 13th and above.
The Hammers board would then be forced to act swiftly to prevent the team from being cast adrift with the bottom clubs in the division.
we all know what’s going to happen in these 2 matches. claret bleeding evrrywhere. why are we witting for that to happen before we sack Loopy? if we’d got rid of him before these games the players might be a little more motivated, even with an interim coach. it’s a complete waste of 2 weeks in which to change the mindset of the players, but nope, we trudge on zombie-like….
Why are both games stand alone live fixtures on national TV?
Dreading the Newcastle game more. Somehow watching your team get mullered live doesn’t seem as painful. You haven’t got Alan Smith, Jaimie Carragher, Gary Neville and the token ex female footballer wan**** lyrically about the quality of the 5th goal. And how West Ham were much more solid under David Moyes & the fans needed to be careful what they wished for.
The Gooners will be a painful watch but it still makes me smile how terrified their fans are about a visit to the Stratford White Elephant -” 6 – 0 and you still don’t sing “anybody
So far this season West Ham don’t turn up until after halftime.
It would send a message if our fans boycotted the first 15 minutes of the Arsenal game. It’s live on TV and the empty seats would remind Sully we are fans not customers!
I’m sure there will hardly any fans left in the stadium with 10 minutes to go after another dire performance and mauling.
The ones that are left should be chanting for JLo to go and for Sully to show ambition.
Not two games wed be expected to win under any manager probably so obviously theyve made a decision to get rid of him then.
What does it say about our club when you’re still talking about this train wreck saving his job? Does anyone really want Lopetegui anywhere near the London Stadium after what we have already witnessed over the last FIVE MONTHS? I don’t care if West Ham win both of these games 5-0, Lopetegui has no business being there on December 1st. If that is what it takes to get rid of him, I wish for two embarrassing results, so that West Ham can move on
When you want your team to lose to get rid of a manager / coach it speaks volumes.
I was the same when we had Sam Allardyce!
Boycotting the game would send a signal that season ticket renewals will drastically fall if we did!
It does Matt, and I almost want to apologise, but when the underlying rhetoric from those in a position to influence is nothing less than support for an abject failure who has all but ruined a full season, what else is there. A defeat brings instant bad publicity which seems to be the only thing that puts the spotlight where it is needed.
Bet it still won’t happen..sullivan will keep extending it till we win
And like our dreams they fade and die 🫧🫧🫧
We’re fiddling while Rome burns then as there’s no way we’ll get anything from either Newcastle or Arsenal. There’s been no sign of any improvement and the situation is turning sour too…
Hopefully this car crash of a coach will be gone asap!
Adios JLo 👋
We conceded 10 across these two fixtures last season. Wouldn’t be shocked if it’s a bigger number this time.
I dread the announcement of the JLo’s team selections it’s been that bad this season.
Think I will watch the next two games from behind the sofa. Horrors shows incoming!