Debate has raged about what’s not working at West Ham as Julen Lopetegui struggles to make his mark at the club.
When West Ham committed over £155m to sign nine players in the summer, expectations rose.
Julen Lopetegui always faced a difficult task to succeed David Moyes with so much squad upheaval.
But improving on the style of play was surely one of Lopetegui’s easier tasks.
As yet there are no discernible patterns of play or major improvements in either the approach or results.
Bar a brief bit of nice one-touch build-up which led to West Ham’s equaliser, that was the case once again in the 1-1 draw at Brentford.
A point is a point away from home in the Premier League.
But against a Brentford side missing eight key players, it’s a poor result for West Ham and Lopetegui.
Fans are divided on what the big issues are in this new-look team.
Midfield is Lopetegui’s biggest problem at West Ham
There is a definite lack of leadership and character.
West Ham have looked vulnerable at the back and lack guile in attack.
Many feel it is central midfield that is the major problem, though.
There is a distinct lack of chemistry and balance among Lopetegui’s hodge-podge of midfield options.
West Ham’s set pieces have also been poor so far. And that’s having an impact on results given it was one of the team’s biggest weapons last season.
For all the good business the Hammers did in the summer, one decision just didn’t make sense to supporters.
The loan of James Ward-Prowse to Nottingham Forest.
Ward-Prowse was far from sensational in open play for the Hammers. But he contributed 18 goals and assists in his debut season.
Bale’s response to big question makes Lopetegui look ridiculous
He worked hard, was a good leader in the middle of the pitch and a consistent, reliable performer.
Many pundits – including Don Hutchison and Kevin Nolan – have questioned why Lopetegui would let Ward-Prowse go to replace him with the likes of Guido Rodriguez.
Now one of the best players of the modern era has spoken about the Hammers owned star.
And Gareth Bale’s response to a big question makes Lopetegui look ridiculous for his West Ham decision.
The former Real Madrid and Wales star knows all about being a dead ball specialist.
Bale was asked to rank the best set-piece takers in a winner stays on format for TikTok.
A host of Premier League icons were put to Bale as he chose the one he thinks is the very best in the business from anywhere outside the 18-yard-box.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Bale chose former West Ham star Frank Lampard in the first head-to-head with Wayne Rooney. Bale said he was a big fan of Lampard’s technique as he put the Hammers Academy graduate through.
Former superstar names Ward-Prowse the best ever
Bale stuck with Lampard in the next round, choosing him over Sunderland cult hero Sebastian Larsson.
The former winger then went with himself as he was pitted against Lampard.
Bale declared the round between he and former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo a tie but The Mail put him through to the next round.
Bale then chose himself over ex West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola.
That would be the end of Bale’s run though, as he conceded that West Ham-owned Ward-Prowse was in fact the better free-kick taker than him, as well as Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry and David Beckham.
It begs the question what were West Ham thinking letting Ward-Prowse go?
He would surely be a better option right now than the likes of Rodriguez.
Especially off the bench if the game is not going West Ham’s way.
Yes Ward-Prowse wanted to be a starter. But he was under contract with the Hammers so Lopetegui could have made him stay.
Time will tell but it looks a poor decision and a big mistake.
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