Chris Sutton flags Lopetegui issue at West Ham United as Moyes comparison made
Chris Sutton believes one of Julen Lopetegui’s main issues at West Ham United is the fact that his team “don’t know what they are“.
The Hammers had a major overhaul in the summer and still find themselves 14th in the Premier League with just three wins to their name.
Speaking on the Monday Night Club Podcast in quotes relayed by BBC Sport (4 November), Sutton said that at least under predecessor David Moyes the team had an identity, something he feels is lacking under the Spaniard.
“West Ham this season are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, you don’t know what they are and that’s the issue,” he said.
“It looks like he’s [Lopetegui] a little bit stuck. He’s in the wrong movie. He needs time, but you don’t really know what they are and he’s spent a fortune.
“David Moyes had a style of football, whether you agreed with it or not.
“West Ham wanted a more progressive brand of football, but at least you knew what David Moyes’ teams were and they were counter-attack.”
Are West Ham United better off with Julen Lopetegui than David Moyes?
Last season, the Hammers finished ninth in the Premier League and for most teams, a top-half finish would be a perfect place for them to be at the end of the term. Hammers fans, however, believed their team could do better.
West Ham had the fourth-worst defensive record in the league last season and while their defence was bolstered in the summer thanks to the arrivals of players such as Jean Clair-Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, it still feels like the team played better football with the Scotsman in charge.
The Hammers also felt a lot more together and as if they were far more cohesive than what they’ve shown under Lopetegui this season.
With the amount of money they spent in the transfer window, the least you’d expect from them is to finish in the top half but at this rate, they’ll be lucky to even manage that.
Lopetegui’s future has been under some rightful scrutiny recently and even though most people, including Moyes himself, think the Spaniard needs more time, there will come a point where enough is enough and his London Stadium tenure will come to an end.
In other West Ham news, Nigel Reo-Coker has singled out Guido Rodriguez after what he’s done recently.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.