West Ham United take on Newcastle United tonight in a game which is crucial for Julen Lopetegui’s future. The Hammers have been in poor form and sit fourteenth in the Premier League, a long way below expectations at the start of this season after the mammoth spend and fanfare appointment of the Spaniard to play a more attractive, entertaining brand of football.
Lopetegui’s position is undoubtedly hampered by the disciplinary situation: Mohammed Kudus‘ five game ban following the ‘slap episode’ at Spurs is still being served and the Edson Alvarez situation appears to be confirmed by the Premier League:
Previous reports suggested that the automatic extra game ban he should receive following a second straight red card would not apply, as one of the reds had been received in the Carling Cup, not in the Premier League.
However, from the Premier League’s own web site today:” Edson Alvarez, dismissed for two bookable offences in Matchweek 10, is still unavailable for the game at Newcastle on Monday as it is the second of a two-match ban for a second red card this season.”
For some supporters, Alvarez had become a walking yellow card liability in any case. 13 yellow cards and a red last year should not be treated a target to be beaten this season!
However, having no Edson Alvarez in the XI sentences West Ham fans to another showing of Tomas Soucek, Guido Rodriguez and Lucas Paquetá in the ‘tepid trio show’ unless Lopetegui goes seriously adventurous. Not likely, on past evidence.
Make or break- ‘Irn Bru’ Iniesta may finally get a start tonight
However, the prospect of a first start for Andy Irving becomes seriously tempting for those of us watching: Careers are born out of such circumstances and it would be a breath of fresh air to see a new face in midfield. He’s had very little match time but could make or break his Hammers career in 90 minutes tonight if Lopetegui goes ‘bold’. At the same time I’d be nervous for the young man as Newcastle offer a serious threat.
We’ll let you know the match day line up at 6.45 and see just how Lopetegui deals with the situation.
