West Ham United seem to be playing through matches in various stretches of disorganised adjustment, either to positional changes made by necessity through injury or so-called tactical adjustment. It must be challenging for several of the players being asked to perform different roles mid-way through a game. Julen Lopetegui made the calls and it is clear he is not worried about ruffling feathers or upsetting some of his ‘stars’ who aren’t performing.
The change at half time in substituting Mohammed Kudus was nothing to do with injury. Roshane Thomas on X at half time confirmed: “Lopetegui says he brought off Kudus at HT for tactical reasons”. So, maybe injured pride but nothing physical then. Right or wrong, a brave, high risk call by Lopetegui who obviously doesn’t care about upsetting his star players.
Lucas Paquetá when substituted later made his own feelings clear, shaking his head as he left the pitch in a mini-sulk. Another bruised ego. Lopetegui is showing he has a ruthless streak in him to get the result he wants.
Opinions about those who he brought on is another matter: Soler for Kudus and then later Summerville for Paquetá have drawn plenty of criticism. The Head Coach risks upset in the dressing room but it is clear he’s not keeping players on solely because of reputation. Coming back from a goal down in the second half, he will say, mitigates his decision.
What will be interesting to see is how those players respond and whether Lopetegui gets the performance he seeks from Kudus and Paquetá next week.