After the horror show, Lopetegui is left with some difficult choices. Many critics have called for Lucas Paquetá to be dropped after yet another lacklustre performance where the Brazilian gave a way a clumsy penalty and then gave away possession for another Arsenal goal. Largely ineffective, Paquetá only stays in the first XI because, as far as I can see, Lopetegui’s chosen option is even worse.
Guido Rodriguez is already the man who has admitted that he made a mistake coming to West Ham but is the ‘next midfielder on the bench’ if J’Lo decides that Paqueta’s indifferent form demands he be dropped. He clearly isn’t cutting it in the Premier League, so the cycle continues and Lopetegui perseveres with his out of form Brazilian. After all, Rodriguez is like Paqueta without the pace and the creativity.
But in these dire times, there are other options – but despite his promises when recruited, Lopetegui has failed completely in bringing young players through. Perhaps enough is enough of the ‘same old, same old’?
Lewis Orford, at just 18, has not so far been trusted by Lopetegui with any game time. Remember well the words of Mark Noble who described him as ‘a fantastic passer of the ball’:
I find it a shame Paquetá didn’t pick up his fifth yellow card against Arsenal, in which case Lopetegui would have been forced into a change when the Brazilian would have been suspended for one game.
Rather than just endless permutations of the same trio of slow, out of form or out of talent midfielders who fail week after week, Lopetegui can be bold and roll the dice with a chance for Orford to get minutes on the pitch and show what he’s made of.
Lewis Orford – time for Lopetegui to think outside the ‘same-old failed’ box?
Alternatively – Ollie Scarles made the bench on Saturday in the trouncing by Arsenal and would have been a great replacement instead of the coach calling on want away Rodriguez, yet again Lopetegui turned away from his crop of youngsters.
Surely the time has come for one of West Ham’s future talent to have the chance to step up? Either Orford or Scarles would certainly give 100% which is about 70% more than Lucas Paqueta right now.
