Hammers’ Head Coach Julen Lopetegui has shed light on two specific players he has concerns over for the Manchester City game at the week end.
Facing Harland et al is tough enough with a fully fit squad, but the rigours of playing on Saturday after a mid week game when Man City get to rest, is an additional burden for The Spaniard as he prepares for probably the toughest home test of the season.
During the press conference, speaking to whufc.com, Lopetegui passed comment on several issues.
Aaron Cresswell was injured in the warm up last night and withdrawn at the last minute. On him, the Head Coach commented:
“Unfortunately he suffered this injury. We don’t know how long he will be out, but we will wait for the scan from the medical team.
“Today and tomorrow we are going to see which players are ready to stay in the squad list and to think about the lineup.
And of Edson Alvarez:
“Edson has been out for three months so it’s not easy for him. It was his first match in the line-up and he showed big energy. He’s going to need time to adapt and recover his best fitness and he’s going to do that step by step.”
Alvarez needs to have his return managed carefully
I noticed Crysencio Summerville limping off when substituted, along with Todibo looking sluggish and being hooked at half time. Shame nobody asked about them !
There has also been a whisper that another Hammers forward was injured, which I have not yet substantiated. Fingers crossed I am wrong- not going to create rumours yet but I am off to investigate.
West Ham V Manchester City – London stadium, Saturday 17.30
New upgrade in numbers is looking susceptible.
Some positions are in need of reinforcement_defence.
Hopefully we get some reinforcements!
Let be honest, it hasn’t been great so far!
We could have been 3-0 down at half time against Villa,
Against Palace we got over the line and last night against Bournemouth we got very lucky.
The style of play is slightly better we are still playing with a striker who is struggling for support.
I’m dreading Saturday!!!
COYI
Let’s be honest, it hasn’t been bad so far. At half time in the first Premier League game of the season, West Ham were level at 1-1 ….At the time Duran scored Aston Villa’s winner it looked like West Ham might nick it. But it wasn’t to be.
Against Crystal Palace, West Ham scored two second half goals – whilst they scored none. A very satisfying result. West Ham sit 9th on the table after two games.
With no VAR available, luck shone on the Hammers in the EFL Cup vs Bournemouth, when it looked like Kudus’s shot deflected into the net off Bowen’s forearm. It’s about time they had some good fortune after being screwed over by VAR several times in recent seasons.
Let’s look forward to this weekend. Man City haven’t been Champions for four years in a row for nothing. They beat most teams home and away and could easily have had eight against Ipswich last Saturday But every now and again a team takes all three points against them. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be West Ham this time. COYI.
If you’re dreading the game then don’t go……or even watch it on Sky.
“I noticed Crysencio Summerville limping off when substituted, along with Todibo looking sluggish and being hooked at half time. Shame nobody asked about them !”
I mean Summerville is a fair point but Todibo hasn’t even had 10 mins of PL action and was making his first appearance having had very little of a pre-season.
Considering journalists have limited question time then unless someone was desperate for a smoke break having them asking “Why was Todibo, with next to no playing time all summer, not looking match fit?” would hardly be worth anyone in the room’s time, would it…