Damning revelations about Julen Lopetegui’s tactics must spell danger for his West Ham future

When he was appointed, many Hammers fans were underwhelmed.

A large section of supporters wanted a young, innovative, modern manager with an exciting, attacking football philosophy.

When Lopetegui was appointed he was labelled a ‘Spanish David Moyes’.

West Ham have only played 11 Premier League games, but the 57-year-old has now had the best part of six months to explain and showcase his philosophy and style.

Worryingly, as he headed back to Spain for a break after the dismal 0-0 draw with Everton, Lopetegui said he cannot implement his style with the players he has been given.

That not only threw technical director Tim Steidten under a bus, it also suggests Hammers fans shouldn’t be expecting the football to change anytime soon.

Lopetegui walking West Ham tightrope in next two games

Claret and Hugh suggested yesterday that the owners could sack the head coach if they lose to Newcastle and Arsenal in their next two games.

Many are understandably predicting two heavy defeats are in the offing.

West Ham’s owners say they don’t expect that to happen and that has been interpreted by some as the board setting the manager up for a fall.

With a new-look team, there should be signs by now of what Lopetegui is trying to achieve.

The team sorely lacks any identity, leadership, character or resilience so far, though.

There has also been a lack of discipline.

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said West Ham were getting ‘one of the best managers in the world’ when the hired his compatriot.

There has been little evidence of that.

And no sign of the pressing, high energy style Balague said Lopetegui is known for.

Now damning revelations about Lopetegui’s tactics must spell danger for his West Ham future.

Hammers fans have been highly critical of the manager’s team selections, setup and approach.

Match of the Day highlighted Hammers supporters yawning during the stalemate with the Toffees.

Thousands of fans have also left long before the final whistle in six of Lopetegui’s 13 matches so far.

That’s been pretty unprecedented given the Hammers have nine new players and a new manager.

It seems supporters’ misgivings over the style and approach are well founded.

Damning revelations about Lopetegui’s tactics spell danger

The Athletic has published a chart showing the share of goal kicks going long.

By long they quantify ‘over 40 metres’.

West Ham have the fifth highest percentage of long ball goal kicks in the Premier League.

Only Ipswich, Forest, Everton and Arsenal – who have been criticised for their more pragmatic style this season – have higher ratio than West Ham’s 52 per cent.

Fourteen of the Premier League’s 20 teams go long 45 per cent of the time or less.

For context, Spurs’ ratio of long goal kicks is zero, Saints’ is 4 per cent, Brighton’s 7 per cent and Liveprool’s 16 per cent.

One of the biggest frustrations among Hammers fans is the press.

In fact it’s been more de-press-ing than im-press-ive.

Statbomb has piled the pressure on Lopetegui with its statistics on that element of the manager’s tactics too.

Long ball West Ham’s de-press-ing statistics

The analysts have compiled heat charts on pressing for every Prem side.

The graphics show how much space each team has allowed the opposition this season.

And it does not make good viewing for West Ham or Lopetegui.

It highlights how much space is available to the opponent when they receive a pass in each zone.

As fans may suspect, West Ham have the worst press in the entire top flight under their new boss.

In the sliding colour scale, blue indicates more space being afforded to the opposition, red indicates less.

The images speak for themselves.

And it’s damning.

If you thought West Ham were a hard watch, this is a big reason why.

At the moment, Lopetegui is doing little to disprove he’s ‘just a Spanish Moyes’.

If West Ham don’t improve against Newcastle and Arsenal, it could be the end for the manager.

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