Quite how West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui delivers an authoritative pre-match team talk ahead of tonight’s game against Wolves is anyone’s guess. The usual pleas for players to “do it for themselves” or “for the shirt” will likely be used. Realistically, Lopetegui might be better off asking his team to play their socks off to keep him in a job.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is also fighting to secure his position after a shaky start to the season. However, he faces slightly less heat than West Ham’s Lopetegui, who is under a glaring ultimatum.
This is a match neither manager can afford to lose. Wanderers, stung by their drubbing against Everton, must regroup and make bold changes, though they will face a Hammers team with fragile confidence.
Nelson Semedo returns from suspension, and the Portugal international’s presence will strengthen Wolves’ right flank after missing out against Sean Dyche’s men.
José Sá’s recent performances have been dismal, capped off by soft goals conceded and a bust-up with Wolves fans. In contrast, West Ham’s Alphonse Areola has reportedly had a falling out with Lopetegui so expect both keepers to be on the naughty step.
Toti Gomes is expected to return, replacing Mario Lemina in a backline. Lemina will likely move back into midfield, partnering Boubacar Traoré to provide the energy Wolves need to exploit West Ham’s sluggish midfield. In many respects, Lemina is the perfect player to exploit the Hammers lack of mobility centrally and will be much better moved out of defence.
Former Hammers favourite Craig Dawson looked shaky against the Toffees but will be keen to prove himself against his old club on his return to the London Stadium.
Further up the pitch, João Gomes could adopt a more advanced midfield role, linking with Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen to test the Hammers’ defence. Cunha is a terrifying prospect and the Irons shaky defence must not be lulled into a false sense of security because of Wolves lowly league position.
Does this game and result make any difference to anything. If West Ham play well and win does that change anything? Up to now the team has been shambolic and one game doesn’t change that. Lopetegui has to go and should have gone. Is the delay just timing on the arrangements for the successor?
Look how well it went for Man Utd based on the FA Cup Final. Winning that trophy just made it worse as Ten Hag then wasted more millions on players they now want to sell.
Big team talk , really like at Leicester , they are a bad team , wolves are worse . If the media are to be believed loppy will get sacked if we loose. Never want us to loose but on this occasion I hope we do if it gets him out of our club !
I never believe the media, top sources, ITK journos or Talksport and SkySports.
None provide reliable information tbh
This mornings odds…
Lopetegui 2/1
O’Neil 9/4
Postecoglu 5/2
They could all be gone before long.
My money is on Big Ange 💰💰💰
Levy is ruthless when it comes to scapegoating managers when Spurs fans kick off. Mourinho, Conte, Nuno E Santo are got chopped when the fans were directing fury towards the board!
Well I doubt that Wolves or us would sack before the end of the game tonight, Levy might.
If Levy does 💥🔫 Big Ange, hope they get Potter to stop him being linked to us!
Sounds like a plan. I wonder if he was at their game yesterday like he’s been at ours.
Apparently Jermaine Defoe is on Sky tonight. Maybe we will end up with a toxic dwarf as our coach as well as our chairman 🤣🤣🤣