Julen Lopetegui has published the starting eleven to take on Southampton at St Marys this Boxing Day. Hammers sit 14th and this is really a make or break game for any aspirations West Ham may have for heading into the top half of the Premier League this season.
Lose and at best Irons fans are doomed to a season of mediocrity, A display which mirrors the Newcastle performance could be a springboard into the second half of the season with a whiff of optimism for the new year.
West Ham are seemingly rooted to 14th spot but, depending on results could leapfrog Manchester United this afternoon should they pick up three points against a Southampton side looking to benefit from their own ‘bounce’ after appointing new manager Ivan Juric.
Remember, Lucas Paquetá is suspended and Carlos Soler returns after missing a game for disciplinary reasons after totting up five yellow cards. The dreaded ‘rusty double pivot’ of Rodriguez and Soucek in midfield is reunited – West Ham’s obvious shortcomings in midfield will be exposed from the start with no pace at all in the defensive midfield.
Edson Alvarez on the bench and no place at all in the squad for Hammers’ youngsters.
West Ham United XI
Fabianski | Wan Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson | Rodriguez, Soucek, Soler | Bowen, Fullkrug, Kudus
The crazy thing is we are only 6/7 points of Europe…normally the fans would jump on this ..but like me, most can see that these wins are purely on luck and good saves plus bad strikers at the other clubs .and playingagainst worse opponents or just as worse as us …no disrespect…….but there is no identity there. And you know soon as we play a decent team we will fold like wet paper …it was terrible today again..WE JUST GOT LUCKY AGAIN!!!
My god 56 min gone it’s so bad …..dont care what anyone says , we are awful full stop …we could well nick a goal…but soton are a terrible terrible team and they are better than us ….of to bed again….
WE ARE A SHADOW OF OUR FORMER TEAM …
It’s not just bad it’s we’re like non league side ….this team has no identity whatsoever…just 11 blokes running around like headless chickens….not even angry ….its just sad to see ……..dreadful….
I’m glad everyone agrees that the manager seems clueless, how the fcuk did he ever get the job. I’d love him to prove us wrong but doesn’t look likely. Also where are our talented bunch of youngsters, not one on the bench & Rodriguez in front of Irving 🤷♂️I’ll tell the jokes 😡
No start for Summerville or Todibo yet again. OMG, this clown of a coach has to go!
Well done Lopetegui for ruining our Christmas. Probably Downes will score the winner to put the icing on the cake
Southampton have new manager bounce, picked up a point against Fulham and we’re turning out Rodriguez the only player we have who’s slower than Soucek, and Mavropanos because we can’t bury the hatchet with Todibo. Add no Summerville to that and it hardly inspires confidence.
You’d think he was setting out with the intention of getting sacked.
Let’s just hope that Southampton don’t bounce too much because we don’t look likely to.
Have to agree with his intention of getting sacked.
Looking for the golden handshake and returning home, come on Sully accommodate him.
No manager can be that naive to think he chooses his strongest squad and plays them in their correct positions.
Well his luck looks to have run out ’cause next 2 games could be ‘lambs to the slaughter’.
Already had his excuses with injuries and suspensions stacking up
Lopetegui need’s to go, now before he drags us down further, not an effing clue and it’s just a matter of time. What a disappointing lineup, both my lads are at the match this afternoon hoping to see Summerville, Bowen & Kudus starting together. No Irving again but Rodriguez starts. Sullivan pull your finger out and admit it’s his appointment has been a complete disaster.
Poor old Martin, you must be incandescent with rage over the Big German starting up front again hahahahaha cos you so want JLo to pick the team you want!
Don’t worry tho, he’ll be plonked up front as a target man which has never been his game. You’ll get your wish and he’ll be sold in January because JLo is determined not to play him to his strengths just to spite Timmeh and make them both look bad hahahahaha
Are you on the Christmas sauce mate?
I don’t get incandescent with rage over a football match, mate. Not sure what your point is with the ‘German’ comment – Don’t care what nationality our striker is, provided he scores a goal or runs for 90 minutes.
Mavropanos too even better. At least we won’t see any mistakes…….
JLo should be at the Ali Pali as the way he throws darts at picking a team he’d do a lot better there 😡
Rodriguez and Fullkrug in, our two worst signings ? Brilliant 🙁