It was always going to be the case that David Moyes would be the yardstick by which Julen Lopetegui is measured at West Ham.
After two spells at the club West Ham parted company with David Moyes in the summer.
The decision invited criticism from pundits and journalists who have warned the Hammers to ‘be careful what they wish for’.
But all West Ham fans had been wishing for was a more entertaining style of football.
Many supporters had grown sick and tired Moyes’ risk averse style and even the Scot admitted by the end it was probably time for change.
Julen Lopetegui was hardly a name which excited West Ham fans when it was clear he’d be Moyes’ successor.
How hard could it be to make West Ham’s exciting array of attacking talent more attractive to watch, though?
Especially after nine signings to the tune of £155m.
Is Lopetegui really ‘just a Spanish Moyes’ at West Ham?
Julen Lopetegui vs David Moyes: their first five West Ham results compared
It’s clear West Ham will be a work in progress while Lopetegui figures out his best side and gets his message across.
Yet some journalists, pundits and fans are already questioning the Spaniard.
That is of course ludicrous just five games into his tenure.
‘He’s just a Spanish Moyes’ is one particularly interesting claim repeatedly being made by some supporters on social media.
Lopetegui will never shake comparisons to Moyes until he succeeds where his predecessor failed – by combining style with substance.
Moyes has three consecutive seasons of European qualification, West Ham’s record Premier League points total and a first major trophy for 43 years on his Hammers CV.
But after pledging to build a young, hungry team for the future, Moyes also left the squad in a terrible state.
Lopetegui inherited the second oldest and smallest squad in the Premier League.
It is on Moyes that West Ham have needed such major surgery this summer.
Throwaway comparisons are all well and good.
But what do the history books tell us about how the Hammers’ current and former managers actually compare?
Here’s a look at Lopetegui vs Moyes, their first five West Ham results compared.
Lopetegui vs Moyes: their first five West Ham results compared
Using the start of Moyes’ latest and more significant Hammers stint for the comparison and putting here’s how the two measure up.
Lopetegui’s first game: Aston Villa at home – 2-1 defeat, 0 points total.
Moyes’ first game: Bournemouth at home – 4-0 win, 3 points total.
Lopetegui’s second game: Crystal Palace away – 2-0 win, 3 points total.
Moyes’ second game: Gillingham away in FA Cup – 2-0 win.
Lopetegui’s third game: Bournemouth at home in Carabao Cup – 1-0 win.
Moyes’ third game: Sheffield United away – 1-0 defeat, 3 points total.
Lopetegui’s fourth game: Man City at home – 3-1 defeat, 3 points total.
Moyes’ fourth game: Everton at home – 1-1 draw, 4 points total.
Lopetegui’s fifth game: Fulham away – 1-1 draw, 4 points total.
Moyes’ fifth game: Leicester away – 4-1 defeat, 4 points total.
Lopetegui total points: 4 plus cup win over Premier League opposition.
Moyes total points: 4 plus cup win over lower league opposition.
Lopetegui’s goal difference after five games: GD = 0, 6 goals for, 6 against.
Moyes’ goal difference after five games: GD = +2, 8 goals for, 6 against.
Striking similarities but that’s not necessarily a bad thing
Obviously these are different seasons, different squads and different opposition.
But it’s clear to see the two managers have made strikingly similar starts to life at West Ham.
The same points, progression in the cup with Lopetegui facing a tougher opponent and the same goals conceded.
Moyes’ team scored two more goals but faced weaker opposition overall. The counter argument to that is Lopetegui arguably has a better squad now.
If Lopetegui has had a similar start to Moyes then it’s surely a message to fans to give him time.
After all it didn’t work out too badly for Moyes did it?
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