Alan Pardew shares what will definitely happen at West Ham United under Lopetegui
Alan Pardew believes West Ham United’s attack will always deliver for Julen Lopetegui this season if he focuses on the defence.
Speaking on The Final Word for talkSPORT [6 October, 20:42], the former Hammers boss explained that should the head coach set the team up defensively, the attacking players at his disposal can still find ways of creating goals at the other end.
The attacking output flourished on Saturday 6 October as Lopetegui’s side put Ipswich to the sword, sealing their first home points of the season with a 4-1 victory which gained plaudits.
Pardew said live on air: “I genuinely think that team, if you set it up to not concede, that front line will definitely get you a goal.
“Whether a set play, a break or whatever. They should be winning more games than they are, but a great win.”
West Ham United looking for the right balance
West Ham are in a period where plenty has changed at the club on and off the pitch, and they are rubber-stamping their identity in the Lopetegui era.
A pragmatic and experienced coach, the 58-year-old is the first of his kind at the club to be installed as a head coach rather than a manager, with Tim Steidten leading football operations.
It may diminish the power Lopetegui has slightly, but when it comes to picking the team, he has shown his authority by tending to prefer the players who have been at the London Stadium for a longer period.
The new signings are likely to come good eventually, but some are receiving limited game time to make room for the seasoned Hammers to do their thing – as seen during the resounding win over Ipswich.
That defence-to-attack balance is something the man in the technical area is still processing, and the feeling is that there will be a lot of improvement as the season progresses.
In other West Ham news, Michail Antonio is still very important to the Irons as a landmark stat recently emerged.
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