Chris Sutton predicts result of West Ham United clash v Brentford in new Julen Lopetegui verdict
West Ham United will extend their winless run to five matches in all competitions when they face Brentford on Saturday 28 September, according to Chris Sutton.
The BBC Sport pundit believes Julen Lopetegui’s side will be unable to bounce back from their Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool when they face the Bees at the GTech Community Stadium, predicting the Irons will lose 2-1.
Although Sutton admits Thomas Frank’s side could struggle without Yoane Wissa, he thinks they will still have enough quality to get past the Irons and increase the pressure on Lopetegui.
Writing for BBC Sport on Thursday (26 September) he said: “Julen Lopetegui needs a result and he needs a performance, the West Ham way… whatever that is under him.
“Their fans wanted a change, and they got the change… and I think they have expected a much better start than the one they have got.
“On top of the result, what was worrying about last week’s home defeat by Chelsea was how vulnerable the Hammers looked defensively. If they were solid at the back it would give them something to build on until they click up front, but there was not much to build on there.
“West Ham were miles off in that game and ended up well beaten by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night too. The Reds were very fortunate with how they scored their first goal, but it feels like everything is going against Lopetegui at the moment.
“Even without the injured Yoane Wissa, the Bees are a well-balanced team – and probably not the kind of opposition that West Ham need or want right now.”
Will West Ham sack Julen Lopetegui after loss v Liverpool at Anfield?
As Sutton suggests, West Ham have not hit the heights that most expected of them under the management of Lopetegui this season and some sections of the support are already turning on the Spaniard.
The football has been defensive and disorganised and the results have been even worse. Most fans wanted to see the Irons move away from David Moyes’ negative style and that simply hasn’t happened under the former Real Madrid manager.
But most fans would be willing to accept a poor display against Brentford on Saturday, as long as the Irons still find a way to get all three points. The manager and the players need to win to get some of the support back on their side.
If the winless run continues, there will be calls for a change in the dugout. Whether or not they would be answered by the board remains to be seen, but everyone at the London Stadium will be keen to avoid that outcome.
Hopefully, Lopetegui will find a way to prove Sutton wrong and turn the tide.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have made a new Jonathan David request after a Lille exit update emerged this season
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