Newcastle v West Ham – Tim Sherwood shares prediction amid Lopetegui sack fears
Tim Sherwood has predicted Newcastle to pick up the three points against West Ham on Monday at St James’ Park.
The former Tottenham manager admits that Julen Lopetegui is under pressure with the sack at the London Stadium after the team’s poor start to the season.
The Hammers go into the game on 25 November in 14th place on the table.
Speaking on Premier League Productions’ Weekend Wrap, Sherwood said (24 November, 9:54pm): “Lopetegui is a man under pressure. The fans are not happy with him. It’s a big game for both teams. Newcastle will beat West Ham.”
West Ham losing away to Newcastle may not be enough to sack Julen Lopetegui
The board might not rush to sack Lopetegui after a loss or draw at Newcastle, as these results could still be within the realm of competitive football, especially considering how good Eddie Howe’s side are St James’ Park.
A narrow defeat or a draw could be seen as a testament to West Ham’s resilience or perhaps bad luck.
However, should Newcastle inflict a humiliating defeat by a margin of three or four goals and if the Hammers players show signs of giving up, this scenario becomes significantly more problematic for Lopetegui.
Such a result would not only reflect poorly on his managerial impact but might also indicate a loss of dressing room confidence, which is often a critical factor in dismissal decisions.
During the international break, it’s conceivable that the club have been contemplating potential replacements, preparing for a worst-case scenario where a change might be necessary to reignite the team’s performance and morale.
In other West Ham news, a first-team player wants out in January and his preferred destination has been revealed.
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