The Inconsistencies of West Ham United’s playing styles and first team selection is certainly making life difficult for the squad: It can’t be easy not knowing if you are playing, on the bench or in some cases not even in the squad one game to the next. It is symptomatic of a head coach who is casting around still after two months having no idea what his best team is. This from Lopetegui who, remember, impressed the board at West Ham with his ‘presentation’ and ‘detailed research on West Ham’ at interview.
All very confusing.
When West Ham were being routed at Anfield, very few players escaped criticism: A couple of sources complimented Crysencio Summerville for his work on the left that night, The Daily Mail Giving him a 6/10 rating, noting he: “looked sharp every time he got the ball”. They also believe the young winger could bring “some much-needed excitement” to the club.
Jamie Carragher, no less, noted on Sky Sports: “Summerville has had moments in the game where he’s looked really sharp. Really good touches,”
So what does Lopetegui see, contrary to everyone else, that makes him ‘bench’ Summerville for the game at Brentford – especially leaving the winger on the sidelines and putting Carlos Soler on in his place at half time when Mohammed Kudus was taken off. I’m at a loss to understand the Spaniard’s flailing around in search of answers – it is as if he makes these random, spur-of-the-moment decisions. And I’m a big advocate of our head coach.
In fairness, Soler did ok.
Summerville has been one of the brightest transfers of the summer and surely must start for West Ham. When he did finally get onto the pitch his shot at 81 minutes was deflected – on another day he could have won it.