Darren Bent has given his view on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui [Credit: talkSPORT YouTube / Imago]
Darren Bent has given his view on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui [Credit: talkSPORT YouTube / Imago]
Match

Darren Bent drops West Ham United relegation prediction in new Lopetegui verdict

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Darren Bent does not believe West Ham will be relegated this season but has told Julen Lopetegui to get more out of his attacking players.

The Hammers are in 14th place after the first 11 matches of the Premier League campaign, having claimed just three victories against Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Manchester United.

Lopetegui is already feeling the pressure despite only taking over in the summer, and with players lacking quality in the final third, the Spaniard has multiple problems to fix if he is to save his job.

Speaking live via talkSPORT [22 November, 4:45pm], Bent said: Lopetegui's got to find a way of getting more out of these attacking players."

Andy Goldstein asked: "They won't go down?" to which Bent replied: "No. They've got a lot of quality in the squad."

Julen Lopetegui surely capable of steering West Ham United away from relegation

While Lopetegui has put the Hammers in this current position, his previous experiences with Real Madrid, Wolves and Spain would suggest he has what it takes to push the team up the league table.

However, the Spaniard is running out of time to prove himself in the top tier of English football, with the Hammers set to make a decision based on the upcoming fixtures with Newcastle United and Arsenal [The Guardian].

It is a very difficult predicament, with the Hammers only five points above the dropzone after the first 11 matches, and multiple possible replacements available for David Sullivan to pick from.

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui is off to a rocky start at West Ham United. (Credit: Imago)

Edin Terzic looks to be the likeliest candidate to replace Lopetegui if the Irons do make the tough decision [TBR Football], but with relegation certainly a possibility this season, something needs to change.

Sullivan has been berated for many of his choices recently but he could get the fans back onside if he is to get rid of Lopetegui already.

In other West Ham news, one player could nail the final coffin in Lopetegui's coffin, he has 2 wins in 24 meetings v Newcastle United and Arsenal.

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Darren Bent
Julen Lopetegui
West Ham
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