Touchline Tantrums The Least of Lopetegui’s Worries

There’s something very West Ham about head coach Julen Lopetegui injuring himself while throwing a temper tantrum on the touchline. It’s not quite in the class of David Moyes excusing his half volley at the head of a ball-boy (or was it girl?) but it was a very Hammers like drama.

Rumour has it the Irons gaffer turned up to today’s Brentford press conference heavily bandaged and on crutches, although he may still be fitter and more likely to face The Bees than Niclas Fullkrug.

However, Lopetegui’s injury will seem like a walk (or hop) in the park compared to the daunting task of selecting West Ham’s midfield for the weekend’s Premier League fixture against Brentford.

While many were discussing Edson Álvarez letting his teammates down by getting sent off against Liverpool, it’s the impact on Saturday’s game against the West Londoners that concerns me most.

Irreplaceable Alvarez

Álvarez was indeed reckless and foolish in picking up double yellow cards at Anfield, but up to that point, he was West Ham’s best player. Concerningly, nobody else in midfield seems to come close to the standards of the Mexican, which is somewhat disheartening given the Hammers’ summer transfer business.

There is a certain irony in looking at the options of Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez as the likely midfield pairing for Saturday’s game when James Ward-Prowse and Flynn Downes would possibly make better choices.

But old Hopalong Lopetegui can’t concern himself with such things as he looks to select his team for what is a crucial game in determining his future at the club.

At 3-1 down against Liverpool, West Ham were highly unlikely to get back into the game, so I’m not sure how much Álvarez let his teammates down despite his stupidity. Unfortunately, it could be Lopetegui who ends up paying the ultimate price for the Mexican’s lack of discipline if the Hammers’ midfield gets overrun this weekend.