The door is open now, for the full motives of some of Julen Lopetegui’s indecipherable decisions and constant chopping and changing of key players to become public.
Much becomes clear about the state of the dressing room when seemingly calm, popular international players were inexplicably dropped amidst ‘injury’ claims: Jean Clair Todibo was the player we knew had been left on the ‘naughty step’ after a bust up- with J’Lo and indeed, didn’t even travel with the squad to one away fixture, being forced to train with the academy team under the pretext of one of Lopetegui’s “little injuries”.
The same fate befell former first choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Whilst Lopetegui explained these player absences as ‘little knocks’ it is clearly the case that players were undermined or even banished following fallings-out with the Spaniard.
I found it head-scratchingly difficult to understand when Areola was absent with a ‘bad back’ yet travelled to be the third choice French keeper in the international break.
Roshane Thomas in the The Athletic promised to ‘reveal all’ after Lopetegui’s exit- and has now started:
“Lopetegui [even – MT] clashed with goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The France international was frustrated at losing his place — he was dropped against Man United having started every previous league match, then not in the matchday squad for the ensuing games against Nottingham Forest and Everton. Lopetegui explained his absence was due to a minor knock, but their relationship was fractious, according to people close to the players. Areola is a popular member of the squad and is a very calm person off the field.”
Areola was Hammers’ number one under Moyes
Whilst Fabianski’s form was extraordinary for a 39 year old, Areola had been in brilliant form under Moyes and his decline was hard to fathom. All becomes clear now as Lopetegui gradually fell out with even some of the most implacable components of the West Ham side.
Of course, the upside is that this is a simple fix. Potter’s style will suit Areola perfectly, being the better ‘keeper with the ball at his feet: I’d hasten a guess he’ll be back to his best in no time.
The wave of relief which will be spreading through those who’d been sidelined by Lopegeui will be almost tangible – so new coach Graham Potter gets the chance to capitalise on this simply by uniting the whole squad, with the result of better team spirit and a more solid group with selection based on merit for the Aston Villa game.
Whist the Potter-era tactics will take months and months to show results, the effect on player confidence and morale could be pretty immediate.
