Such is the sentiment, seemingly, inside London Stadium, that several players are taking openly about the mistakes they made in coming and seeking a fast exit: Player discipline is at a low ebb with red cards punctuating the Premier League and Cup campaigns this Autumn. We are constantly reading reports and speculation that two defeats against Arsenal and Newcastle would see Lopetegui dismissed at the start of December before a run of more winnable games.
A new head coach would then arrive with a chance to work with the same group of players, with a view to wining at least some of the fifteen PL points on offer before Liverpool arrive after Christmas.
The effect on morale in the dressing room is difficult to predict after a manager is fired – but after the show of dissent from players when substituted and the poor discipline records, one would think most would feel relieved that the whole Loopy-Ball chapter had been put to bed for good.
Mohammed Kudus has been more visibly at odds with his coach than many: The red card sending-off against Spurs followed-on from the dressing room squaring up between he and his coach at half time when Kudus was substituted against Brentford.
The reports of Kudus demanding his agent get him out of West Ham amid links with Arsenal and Liverpool are all testimony to a young man at odds with his coach and his ‘lot’ at West Ham. A new appointment of a more tactically astute manager could well keep ‘want-away’ Kudus at London Stadium through the January window: Who knows where West Ham could be by the end of May.
So, troubled waters ahead in the next two games but beyond that – as far as the self styled ‘Star Boy’ is concerned- maybe a stay of execution and a return in form? I’ll vote for that.
