Persuasive Julen Lopetegui promises David Sullivan two players will transform West Ham as he tries to buy time

The journalist who made that claim, Jacob Steinberg, has close links to Hammers majority owner David Sullivan.

The fact those games are against the in-form Magpies and Arsenal means many have viewed the ultimatum as a kiss of death for Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham would be just three points off the relegation zone by the time they kick off at St James’s Park.

So it’s clear for all to see things have not worked out so far for the Spaniard.

Lopetegui has been under fire for his tactics, team selections, man management and the way he handles the press.

But the ex Wolves boss has been keen to shift some of the blame elsewhere of late.

Ahead of what was labelled the worst Premier League game of the season against Everton, Lopetegui stated he can’t implement his style at West Ham with the players he’s been given.

Lopetegui promises Sullivan two players transform West Ham

That was seen as a clear dig at technical director Tim Steidten.

This week he laid down the gauntlet to his players saying it’s time for them to stand up and be counted.

The fact the former Real Madrid and Spain manager has had to plead with Sullivan and co to ‘judge him in May’ on more than one occasion so far says a lot about how things have been going for him in east London.

It seems Lopetegui is trying every trick in the book to avoid being shown the door.

Now persuasive Lopetegui has promised Sullivan two players will transform West Ham as he tries to buy time.

The Hammers boss confirmed he speaks to Sullivan on a weekly basis.

But he refused to reveal the details of their latest chat after the claims he has been given two matches to save his job.

Debate has raged about what West Ham’s biggest problems are.

The midfield and striker options are a common theme among many observers.

Lopetegui sensed an opportunity by giving his view on that subject.

Hammers boss tries to buy time with Kudus and Fullkrug claim

After pleading again to be judged in May, he sent a clear message to the owners that Mohammed Kudus and Niclas Fullkrug will make West Ham much more competitive.

This is where Lopetegui is clearly trying to buy time ahead of expected defeats against Newcastle and Arsenal.

Because Kudus is suspended until the Leicester game following the Gunners clash.

And now Lopetegui has claimed Fullkrug, who has been out for nearly three months with an Achilles injury, could be back for Leicester too.

“We are approaching a very busy and key month,” Lopetegui told the press.

“Because we are going to play a lot of matches, so we have to be ready to be very competitive.

“And to have more players to choose from.

“With Kudus he returns after two matches more and after this we are going to have more players.

“Fullkrug maybe after these two matches is going to be ready so we are going to have more possibilities to be more competitive and to have better answers for the next challenge.”

There are two big things here.

Little evidence to support Lopetegui’s claim

There is no evidence to suggest having Kudus and Fullkrug back in the side will change West Ham’s performances and fortunes.

Lopetegui wasn’t even playing the German striker when he arrived.

That’s despite Steidten clearly declaring he was ready to hit the ground running after arriving from Dortmund.

It’s clear West Ham need a powerful, dynamic, pacy forward. That’s been the case since last summer.

Fullkrug is a lethal finisher but he lacks that crucial ingredient, pace.

And the Spaniard has been playing Kudus out of position on the left all season – much to the frustrations of fans and the player himself.

So much so many feel it contributed to Kudus’ head loss at Spurs which resulted in his five-game ban.

It’s easy for Lopetegui to say Kudus and Fullkrug will change everything.

It all feels like a ploy to buy himself more time. Plain and simple.

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