West Ham United laughed at after what happened in win against Southampton
Joshua Mbu was in hysterics after watching West Ham United get played off the pitch by Southampton during the first half of the eventual 1-0 win.
The Daily Mirror and Daily Express reporter took to X to voice his views on the first-half display [26 December] and couldn’t believe new Southampton boss Ivan Juric got the better of Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham secured the victory at St Mary’s on Boxing Day courtesy of a Jarrod Bowen goal, coming after Alphonse Areola replaced Lukasz Fabianski after 36 minutes following a head collision, but that didn’t stop Mbu poking fun at Lopetegui.
He wrote: “Southampton outplaying West Ham in their manager’s first game – six months in with Lopetegui, and I still have no idea what West Ham’s identity under him is meant to be.
“The team lacks pace, especially in midfield, lack ideas in the final third… terrible.”
Julen Lopetegui saves his job at West Ham United v Southampton
While the first-half display on the South Coast left a lot to be desired from the visitors, Lopetegui survived the new manager bounce to stretch his unbeaten run in the Premier League to four games.
The Spaniard is believed to be in a great position to retain his role in East London following the victory [Ben Collins] after his side rose to 13th place in the table, only two points adrift of Brighton in 10th.
Sky Sports News reported on 10 December that the fixtures against Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton would ultimately determine Lopetegui’s future, and the Spaniard has passed in flying colours, recording five points from the nine available.
And even if the Hammers fail to beat Premier League leaders Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday [29 December], the improvement from the side has been clear.
There will still be question marks regarding where the Spaniard will be able to take West Ham this season and, perhaps more importantly, the style of play he wishes to display to the Irons faithful.
However, it appears Lopetegui has awarded himself ample time to attack the January transfer window to fix the glaringly obvious flaws in his squad and will remain at the helm heading into the second half of the campaign.
Until the next crisis emerges in East London, West Ham fans will have to move forward in the knowledge that Lopetegui is here to stay.
In other West Ham news, frustrations have emerged at Manchester City as the Irons prepare a move for a young gem.
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