I’m not entirely sure what it was about today’s Premier League results and their impact on West Ham that has me suddenly looking nervously below us at the relegation zone.
Perhaps it’s the fact that Crystal Palace earned an impressive point at Villa Park and still dropped into the EPL relegation zone. Maybe it’s the fact that 18th place is now only four points away, and our goal difference is no better than the teams around us.
But it’s far more likely Wolves’ resurgence, which has left me no longer confident that there are three teams significantly worse than West Ham, that has me worried.
For that reason, I think it’s incredibly important that, should the Hammers lose against Newcastle United on Monday, Julen Lopetegui should not be allowed to continue as head coach.
The club hierarchy has already squandered an excellent opportunity during the international break to allow any new coach time to bed in. Perhaps it was because the decision-makers at West Ham had faith that Lopetegui would finally translate his methods and tactics to the players given the luxury of two weeks on the training pitch—but I doubt it.
More likely, the Spaniard was retained out of hope rather than any real insight that he had turned a corner.
Of course, Lopetegui could surprise us all by beating Newcastle and going on a run that propels the team up the table. But if he doesn’t, he really does need to be relieved of his duties. A loss in the following game to Arsenal will leave West Ham precariously close to the relegation zone, and with teams below us improving, we no longer have the luxury of time.
