Jeff Stelling is totally unconvinced about Julen Lopetegui and feels some of his baffling decisions at West Ham are not being criticised enough.
Going into the game against Man United only one man was under more pressure than West Ham’s head coach Julen Lopetegui.
And so it proved after West Ham’s somewhat fortunate 2-1 victory as that man, Erik ten Hag, was sacked.
Following David Moyes was always going to be tough for Lopetegui in east London.
After all Moyes was the most successful Hammers boss for a generation.
Even so, the Spaniard’s start to life at West Ham has been underwhelming to say the least.
Supporters have been highly critical of Lopetegui’s tactics, team selections and approach.
Many feel there has been a lack of identity about the team and no clear style of play.
While fans have been impressed by the 57-year-old’s willingness to make early substitutions, the point has been made that it’s been needed too often as a result of choosing the wrong line-up and tactics in the first place.
A case in point is the drip-feeding of new players into the team and Lopetegui’s use of West Ham’s best player Mohammed Kudus out of position on the left wing.
It is felt Kudus’ frustrations at that situation and a much-publicised row with the manager have contributed to his complete head loss at Spurs which has resulted in what looks set to be a five or six-game ban.
Stelling baffled by Lopetegui at West Ham
What has rankled with fans most, though, is Lopetegui’s reluctance to start Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutchman has been excellent every time he’s taken to the field.
But Summerville has been restricted to substitute appearances.
He was expected to start against Man United with Kudus banned. But Lopetegui once again named him on the bench much to the anger of supporters.
The fact Summerville came on at half-time and rescued West Ham with a goal and man of the match performance only served to highlight Lopetegui’s bizarre decision to start him on the bench in the first place.
Despite all the scrutiny he has been under, one top pundit doesn’t believe he’s faced enough.
Jeff Stelling is baffled by Lopetegui and feels he’s not being criticised enough at West Ham.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Stelling says Lopetegui’s treatment of Summerville is ‘beyond belief’.
And he is not convinced by the ex Spain boss.
Pundit feels Hammers boss isn’t being criticised enough
“Let’s not be too fair to Lopetegui, because, frankly, I was staggered when I saw that West Ham team,” Stelling said.
“They haven’t got Mohammed Kudus in the side, and yet he still will not start Crysencio Summerville. It was absolutely beyond belief.
“He got out of jail, because West Ham were useless in the first half (against Man United). They could have been 4-0 down. And right now, instead of talking about Ten Hag, we’d have been talking about Julen Lopetegui and his future at West Ham. So he got lucky.”
It’s perhaps no great surprise Stelling is being so critical of Lopetegui.
He was one of the pundits who was most vociferous about West Ham deciding to part ways with Moyes.
A no-brainer the manager simply can’t see
Stelling does make a salient point, though.
Starting Summerville is an absolute no-brainer and the fact Lopetegui can’t see it should be a concern.
The former Leeds star only chose West Ham over the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea because he believed he would get more game time in east London.
Lopetegui must see sense, starting at Forest.
West Ham can’t afford a situation when the player who is most exciting supporters is not getting in the team.
Because it may force Summerville to consider pushing for a move elsewhere.
And all it’s doing in the meantime is agitating Hammers fans.
Stelling is a Hartlepool supporter and the situation is even winding him up.
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