October 19, 2024: The day West Ham United hit the self-destruct button.
Whether it was Mohammed Kudus’ uncharacteristic dismissal for shoving Micky van de Ven and Pape Matar Sarr in the face, the defensive frailties or a motionless Julen Lopetegui presiding over another second-half capitulation, the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur further exposed their deep-rooted issues.
After eight league games, West Ham’s identity remains a mystery. The head coach has yet to find a system that allows the attacking trio of Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio to thrive consistently. The defence remains porous despite the combined £55million ($71.7m at the current exchange rate) summer arrivals of Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The slow integration of Crysencio Summerville in the XI is no longer justified. Lucas Paqueta’s form has nosedived and the midfielder is careless in possession.
It is a new season reminiscent of the old. West Ham have only won once since August, with five points from their last six games.
Lopetegui retains full support from the board but the gravity of the situation will do little to ebb the pressure he is under.
Vice-chair Karren Brady’s true emotions at Tottenham were concealed as she wore sunglasses in the directors’ box. Pre-match, David Sullivan’s red Rolls-Royce was briefly stuck in traffic on Tottenham High Road. Given what he and the fanbase were subjected to, a diversion back to his residence would have been more appropriate. Some supporters left the away enclosure as early as the 65th minute. The reality is Tottenham could have subjected West Ham to more misery.
Before the international break, victory over promoted Ipswich Town was viewed as a turning point. Fans dug deep into their well of optimism for the London derby, but the loss has weakened their hopefulness.
The dread grew as the team conceded three goals in eight minutes after the interval — but it was also no surprise, with defeats to Liverpool (in the Carabao Cup) and Chelsea last month following a similar pattern.
| Team | Date | Goalscorer | Minute |
|---|---|---|---|
|
September 21 |
Palmer |
47 |
|
|
September 25 |
Jota |
49 |
|
|
September 25 |
Salah |
74 |
|
|
September 25 |
Gakpo |
90, 90+3 |
|
|
October 19 |
Bissouma |
52 |
|
|
October 19 |
Areola (OG) |
55 |
|
|
October 19 |
Son |
60 |
Kudus scored the opener but the elation was short-lived following his red card, his first dismissal since November 2019. To compound matters, the Ghana international will receive a minimum three-match suspension, missing upcoming games against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Everton.
He walked past Lopetegui and his backroom staff as he headed down the tunnel. Kudus, known for being level-headed, lost his cool and there can be little empathy for his actions.
But it is the second time in a month his lack of discipline has been questioned. Kudus and Lopetegui had a frank exchange of words when the attacker was substituted at half-time in the 1-1 draw against Brentford.
“We (Lopetegui and Kudus) are going to talk,” said the head coach after the Tottenham loss. “Not today. It’s not the day to talk but he will be aware he can improve his actions in these moments because it is not good for him, the club or the team.”
Mohammed Kudus clashes with Micky van de Ven and is subsequently shown a red card (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Tim Steidten, the technical director, has previously received praise for the club’s recruitment but he also now warrants scrutiny.
The club signed an ageing forward in Niclas Fullkrug, 31, for £27million from Borussia Dortmund. He remains sidelined with a calf injury and has only played 63 minutes in the league. Luis Guilherme, the £25million signing from Brazilian side Palmeiras, has featured once totalling four minutes. That is £52million worth of talent. Midfielder Guido Rodriguez is still adapting to Premier League football, while Carlos Soler’s involvement has been restricted to substitute appearances.
Post-match, Lopetegui apologised to supporters and offered reassurance that performances will improve. He wants doubters to reserve judgement until May. It sounds good in theory, but the adage actions speak louder than words comes to mind.
“The message is we are sure we will have better moments,” Lopetegui said. “The Premier League is very long and we knew we had a hard start. But we are going to improve. I am sure about this.
“Today we are very frustrated and so sorry for them (the fans) above all. We are going to work very hard for the next challenge.
“We have to do better. Maybe I have to improve, too, my translation with my players. The first half was interesting. We did good things. We scored and had chances to score more. After 2-1, the worst thing for me is not being able to keep the mentality. You are losing 2-1 but you have a lot of time in front of you to draw or to win the match. That’s why we have to improve one important step — to handle these bad moments in another way.”
Attention turns to West Ham’s upcoming home game against Manchester United.
Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag find themselves in embattled positions. Whenever a manager is under pressure, there comes a point when they are no longer capable of redirecting the lurching turbulence. Lopetegui will hope he is not befallen by such fate, but failure to turn around the slow start to the season may cost him his job.
(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
