Julen Lopetegui’s media ally Guillem Balague has kept quiet about the West Ham head coach so far this season.
The former Sky Sports La Liga correspondent is well-known as a close friend of his compatriot Lopetegui, often defending him during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, Balague has largely refrained from commenting on Lopetegui’s precarious position recently, as the Spaniard clung to his Hammers job by a thread.
There was one occasion when Balague reacted to reports claiming West Ham director of football Tim Steidten had advised David Sullivan against hiring Lopetegui. The leaks triggered a wave of follow-up articles aiming to distance Steidten from the appointment of David Moyes’ successor.
In response, Balague defended his friend, suggesting there were behind-the-scenes issues at the London Stadium that the public did not fully understand.
But after West Ham’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Monday night—particularly due to Carlos Soler’s performance—Balague could no longer hold back his delight.
“Carlos Soler had his best game with West Ham against Newcastle. Started in a double pivot/central midfielder with Paqueta, his second start of the season, both wins (Man U the other one). He reminded me of the best Soler with Valencia and the national side. 90% accurate passes, touched the ball 63 times, he even had two chances,” said the Spanish journalist.
“The puzzle is becoming clearer for Lopetegui. Like everything in life, getting a team playing in a different style takes time; it is a process. Those that appreciate that will enjoy the journey.”
Hats off to Fabianski too. He took risks with the ball at his feet I have not seen him take before, helping in playing out from the back. As John Ayris says, a real sea change and across the whole team.
Soler did really well and helps Paqueta shouldering some of the responsibility for forward play, combining with him naturally – otherwise all on P’s shoulders which is a lot to ask all season long. Played like a team with spirit for the first time. What a relief. If JL keeps this team improving and playing like this, I’ll have to eat my hat.
Let’s see if it’s sustained. The over the top negativity on this site was OTT. Similarly, as the saying goes, one swallow doesn’t make a summer. It was one good performance, nothing more. Let’s hope we see several more.
Newcastle’s primary huge defender Burns was suspended which is why Soucek was able to walk on to a header and score . Westham created 2 good chances as did Newcastle , but that’s really good compared to what’s taken place recently . Westham beautifully strangled Newcastle in the last half an hour in a totally composed way . Play the same eleven in the same way against Arsenal and Westham should be competitive and perhaps spring a shock . There are no excuses now against an Arsenal team who’s just played away in Europe and so a heavy defeat must mean the end for LOSEpetegui .
Let’s see, if that is the level and we improve from that, then we can say we have a new style that works against our opponents, in the PL most teams find weaknesses in every style and one good game is just one good game.
Taking 12 games to set up a team with players in their preferred positions was the puzzle ffs.
We didn’t have any identity or style until 12 games in to the season. Think Balague is going a bit OTT with his praise of his friend.
Jury is still very much out right now.
The jury should be out on JL the proof will come to light when we play Arsenal at the weekend if we hold our own get a draw or a win then yes I would agree that things are looking better however should we get trashed against Arsenal then he’s a liability and needs to be sacked I know that people will say that we beat Newcastle at their ground but they didn’t play well they didn’t think that they could lose given how bad we have been that played right into our hands which is why we got the win
Pack it in mate we’re fifth in the form table now, there’s nowhere for you to have your little moan. Get behind the team. It’s like you think we’re Real Madrid or something. Loads of you just constantly looking for a reason to dig out the manager even when the team plays really well. Exhausting.
You are so right. What is the difference between Lopetegui that was in charge versus Everton, and Lopetegui that was in charge versus Newcastle? Absolutely nothing. Most of you agreed he was not up to the job after the Everton game and needed to be replaced. One win and everything is rosy in the garden. There were probably many reasons we won, but one of them was not that Lopetegui suddenly had a career skills upgrade. More likely that so many of his first picks were unavailable, he had no choice but to mess with his usual knee jerk choices. I think we are all agreed that the Arsenal game will not tell us much, but if the pro Lopetegui lobby is right, the next 5 games in December should yield close to 15 points.
It was a more balanced team in which Soler did play well, but we also ran the second greatest distance in the premier league this season was a sea change in effort put in.
Totally agree with this point.
Running is a pre-requisite of the game – the least they can do – and they proved what a huge difference it means to our performance. Not rocket science.
Now we know they can run this distance, the standard is set, and there is no excuse for them dropping again.
Balance the bull****ter