Ray Parlour baffled by ‘strange’ Lopetegui decisions at West Ham amid ‘Massive’ Ipswich verdict
Ray Parlour has been left baffled by some “strange” decisions made by West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui ahead of what he billed as a “massive” Premier League clash with Ipswich Town.
The Hammers have won just one of their opening six Premier League fixtures under the Spaniard, and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup recently via a 5-1 thrashing from Liverpool.
Parlour, speaking to Alan Brazil live on talkSPORT [4 October, 09:28], is concerned for Lopetegui already as he admitted Irons fans did not expect such a poor start, with promoted Ipswich up next at the London Stadium on Saturday (5 October).
“I think he’s under pressure. This is a big, big game for him. I know Chelsea was a big game and they played poorly,” Parlour said.
“They got a draw last week against Brentford, and he’s made some strange decisions – he took his best player off at half-time last week, and I think the West Ham fans are looking at it and thinking it’s not going how they thought it might go.
“But this is massive tomorrow, because they’re expected to win that game – no disrespect to Ipswich. If Ipswich go there and play with the spirit they’ve shown so far, they have a chance of getting something out of that game.”
Julen Lopetegui has to earn some wins for West Ham
There was a lot of excitement around the London Stadium over the summer after an ambitious transfer window in which Tim Steidten led the club to spend nine figures.
However, Lopetegui’s installation as a head coach in a new model at the club has been a slow burner so far, with the win at struggling Crystal Palace the only victorious day in the league so far to show for it.
The 58-year-old appears to still be weeks away from knowing his best team, and has done nothing yet to raise spirits on home turf having lost every fixture in East London so far.
It all seems muddled – the transition period explanation can only wash for a limited period, and it is now October as the pressure builds.
Lopetegui does not seem too popular with ex-professionals in the media who believe David Moyes was under-appreciated, and it is now down to the main man in the dugout to utilise the tools he has been supplied with.
In other West Ham news, the club rival Newcastle United for a forward target.
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.