West Ham implode in the direction of Tottenham and expose deep-rooted factors

The day West Ham United hit the self-destruct button.

Whether or not or not it was Mohammed Kudus’ uncharacteristic dismissal for shoving Micky van de Ven and Pape Matar Sarr inside the face, the defensive frailties or a motionless Julen Lopetegui presiding over one different second-half capitulation, the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur extra uncovered their deep-rooted factors.

After eight league video video games, West Ham’s id stays a thriller. The top coach has however to find a system that allows the attacking trio of Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio to thrive continuously. The defence stays porous whatever the combined £55million ($71.7m on the current alternate worth) summer season arrivals of Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The sluggish integration of Crysencio Summerville into the XI shouldn’t be justified. Lucas Paqueta’s kind has nosedived and the midfielder is careless in possession.

It is a new season reminiscent of the earlier. West Ham have solely gained as quickly as since August, with 5 elements from their closing six video video games.

Lopetegui retains full assist from the board, nevertheless the gravity of the state of affairs will do little to alleviate the stress he is beneath.

Vice-chair Karren Brady’s true emotions at Tottenham had been hid as she wore shades inside the directors’ discipline. Pre-match, David Sullivan’s pink Rolls-Royce was briefly caught in guests on Tottenham Extreme Avenue. Given what he and the fanbase had been subjected to, a diversion once more to his residence would have been further acceptable. Some supporters left the away enclosure as early as a result of the sixty fifth minute. The reality is Tottenham might have subjected West Ham to further misery.

Sooner than the worldwide break, victory over promoted Ipswich Metropolis was thought-about as a turning degree. Followers dug deep into their properly of optimism for the London derby, nevertheless the loss has weakened their hope.

The dread grew as a result of the workforce conceded three aims in eight minutes after the interval — nevertheless it certainly was moreover no shock, with defeats to Liverpool (inside the Carabao Cup) and Chelsea closing month following the identical pattern.

Kudus scored the opener, nevertheless the elation was short-lived after his pink card — his first dismissal since November 2019. To compound points, the Ghana worldwide will get hold of a minimal three-match suspension, missing upcoming video video games in the direction of Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Everton.

He walked earlier Lopetegui and his backroom staff as he headed down the tunnel. Kudus, acknowledged for being level-headed, misplaced his cool and there might be little empathy for his actions.

Nevertheless it is the second time in a month his lack of self-discipline has been questioned. Kudus and Lopetegui had a frank alternate of phrases when the attacker was substituted at half-time inside the 1-1 draw in the direction of Brentford.

“We (Lopetegui and Kudus) are going to talk,” talked about the highest coach after the Tottenham loss. “Not as we communicate. It’s not the day to talk, nevertheless he could be aware he can improve his actions in these moments because of it isn’t good for him, the membership or the workforce.”

Tim Steidten, the technical director, has beforehand obtained reward for the membership’s recruitment, nevertheless he moreover now warrants scrutiny.

The membership signed an ageing forward in Niclas Fullkrug, 31, for £27million from Borussia Dortmund. He stays sidelined with a calf hurt and has solely carried out 63 minutes inside the league. Luis Guilherme, the £25million signing from Brazilian side Palmeiras, has featured as quickly as totalling 4 minutes. That is £52million worth of experience. Midfielder Guido Rodriguez stays to be adapting to Premier League soccer, whereas Carlos Soler’s involvement has been restricted to substitute appearances.

Put up-match, Lopetegui apologised to supporters and offered reassurance that performances will improve. He needs doubters to order judgement until Would possibly. It sounds good in idea, nevertheless the adage that actions converse louder than phrases includes ideas.

“The message is we’re constructive we will have larger moments,” Lopetegui talked about. “The Premier League could also be very prolonged and we knew we had a tricky start. Nevertheless we’ll improve. I am constructive about this.

“As we communicate we’re very pissed off and so sorry for them (the followers) above all. We’ll work very exhausting for the next downside.

“We have got to do larger. Maybe I’ve to reinforce, too, my translation with my players. The first half was fascinating. We did good points. We scored and had potentialities to realize further. After 2-1, the worst issue for me should not be being able to carry the mentality. You is perhaps shedding 2-1 nevertheless you have received loads of time in entrance of you to draw or to win the match. That’s why now we’ve to reinforce one obligatory step — to cope with these unhealthy moments in a single different technique.”

Consideration turns to West Ham’s upcoming residence sport in the direction of Manchester United.

Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag uncover themselves in embattled positions. Every time a supervisor is beneath stress, there comes some extent once they’re not in a position to redirecting the lurching turbulence. Lopetegui will hope he is not subject to such a future, nevertheless failure to point out throughout the sluggish start to the season might worth him his job.

(Prime image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Pictures)