The fact that West Ham have come out in support of under-pressure Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui should come as a surprise to nobody. It’s what they do.
The public backing of the Irons head coach is entirely in keeping with the way David Moyes was always given “three more games” to turn things around, even when West Ham were playing abysmally.
On this occasion, the backing for Lopetegui extends into the new year as the club hierarchy looks for gradual improvements following a summer transfer overhaul.
However, it would only be human nature if whoever was responsible for the appointment of Lopetegui was beginning to have doubts about whether he was the right man for the job. Certainly, the club hasn’t sanctioned over £100m of transfer spending to go backwards, particularly given how poorly the team played during the second half of last season.
So while there are the comforting public statements of reassuring patience for the Irons’ Spanish boss, those in charge will want to see at least a glimmer that things are heading in the right direction.
The Hammers face Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Everton in their next three fixtures before we have to endure yet another international interruption to the Premier League season.
Anything less than four points in those three fixtures will see Lopetegui under increasing pressure from unhappy fans and a pro-David Moyes media who have the scent of blood in their nostrils.
For the time being, the club is absolutely right to back their chosen manager, who needs all the help he can get.
