Chris Sutton moots West Ham United identity crisis in Everton scoreline prediction
Chris Sutton believes West Ham United lack a clear “identity” and predicts the side will drop more points against Everton on Saturday.
The Hammers welcome Everton to the London Stadium this weekend [9 November] in what is shaping up to be a fierce clash between two under-fire managers.
Lopetegui will be well aware anything less than three points will ultimately end his time in East London, however, Sutton is not convinced West Ham have what it takes to get the three points against Everton in his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport [7 November].
He said: “West Ham are in trouble. As I said on the Monday Night Club, they don’t really have an identity under Julen Lopetegui.
“He has always been a pragmatic manager in my eyes but they want to be a more expansive side and he is stuck somewhere in between at the moment.
“There is a lot of uncertainty around them at present, and I am certainly not convinced by them at home. They beat Manchester United there a couple of weeks ago, but they were lucky to win that one.
“While the Hammers are still above Everton in the table, the Toffees’ had been in better form, but then they lost at struggling Southampton last week which is a disappointing defeat whichever way you look at it.
“The only team Everton have beaten away this season is Ipswich, so I would not feel confident backing them to bounce back with a win here.
“I don’t want to pick another draw, but this has got one written all over it.
“Prediction: 2-2”.
It is now or never for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham United
Lopetegui may very well secure his position at the West Ham helm until after the November international break with a win against Everton but, it feels the die has already been cast on his tenure.
The Spaniard has been a resounding failure in East London thus far and, it is becoming increasingly apparent he lacks the managerial appetite to win around the supporters after such an abysmal start to the campaign.
West Ham will undoubtedly have a new face to lead the side at some stage this year, it is a case of when, not if, Lopetegui is sent packing at the London Stadium.
His fate has already been set, he has already lost the dressing room with several key stars not “fully on board” with his methods – there is genuinely no way back for him at the Hammers.
Regardless, Lopetegui must focus on the task at hand, and who knows, a victory against Everton could give his side all the momentum they need to launch an ascent up the Premier League table thus securing his role.
However, with David Sullivan already eyeing up a contingency plan to replace the Spaniard, in all likelihood, it is already a case of too little too late.
He has had ample opportunity to impress the supporters but to no avail – with the Hammers lingering six points above the drop zone, every point counts as the threat of relegation continues to loom over the side.
In other West Ham news, Niclas Fullkrug’s injury issue worsens in a crushing blow for the Irons.
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