“Trying To Adapt” I Irons Star’s Admission

To any West Ham United supporter, the metamorphosis from old regime to Lopetegui’s era is proving deeply uncomfortable. The results on the pitch have been disappointing to say the least whilst criticism of the team, the coach and the leadership structure fills dozens of written columns everywhere at the moment – it is good reading for the neutral or the BCWYWF brigade.

Within the squad, it appears that the players are trying hard to adapt to their new coaches’ philosophy which is more challenging than perhaps we give credit for. From the disarray exhibited during parts of the game against Chelsea, it is massive shift and there is still a long way to go.

One of those in the midst of both the change and the criticism is Konstantios Mavropanos, who spoke to whufc.com  of the challenge involved :” “We are working under a new philosophy, and each day we are trying to adapt” said the Greek International centre-back.

There was also a frank admission of how his own performance to date may impact his selection: “For me personally, I want to continue to be a starter and work as hard as I can for it, but it is the decision of our manager, but I’ll always give my best. It’s been good to start these games, but at the end of the day, we’ve not had the results we wanted.”

With an insight into the post match analysis: “He’s tried to help me in every game to minimise mistakes, and we go through each detail after every game, which has helped me to become a better player.” Together with reassuring confirmation of the pre-match preparation for the visit to Brentford: “I watched their [Brentford’s] game against Tottenham, and we are going to analyse that game. We have to be ready”

“Our target is to bounce back at Brentford this weekend. We go into every game believing we can win. We don’t just go to play; we go to get a result.”

The behind the scenes work is clearly going on – if successful we should see a corresponding upturn in the on-pitch performances. At least an improvement to the shambles that was served up at London Stadium seven days ago.