Under-pressure [Julen Lopetegui’](https://www.claretandhugh.info/a-tough-and-unpopular-call-is-required-if-lopetegui-wants-to-survive/)s next two matches are crucial. The slow death by ‘must-win game followed by another must-win game’ can only be taking its toll. [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/bookies-slash-odds-on-lopetegui-leaving-west-ham/) travel to Leicester City tonight in an effort to put behind them the weekend’s capitulation to Arsenal.
Julen Lopetegui’s language and mindset is revealed from his West Ham press conference yesterday. Even though he was only responding to questions, it is clear he is, in his own mind, bigging-up the challenge offered by Leicester and seems to be preoccupied with the opposition and their new – and yet it must be said – inexperienced manager.
“_Leicester also have very good players, and King Power Stadium is always somewhere that demands a lot, so we are going to need to show the best version of ourselves to compete there and come away with a result._
_“ It’s always a challenge , and you have to match all the things such as the extra energy when a new manager comes in. I know the kind of environment and match we’re going to be going into, and we have to be ready for it.”_
_“Sometimes there is an extra step and extra energy about a team when a new coach arrives.” (_Really? Where was The Hammers’ extra energy in August then?)
Sounds like a mountain to climb already, Julen, are you sure you aren’t beaten before you’ve started?
His mindset will not be helped right now knowing that sitting on duty in the TV studios are TWO of the candidates who have been mentioned as his replacements: one as a ‘caretaker’ and one ‘permanent’ replacement.
Amazon Prime have confirmed, with no doubt a touch of glee that they have captured two ‘names’ linked with the West Ham job for punditry duty tonight – Kevin Nolan and Graham Potter will pass judgement along with Emile Heskey.
I’ll be fascinated to hear more from both Nolan and Potter. Nolan because he’s been the right hand man under Moyes, knows the club so well and was linked with a caretaker role at the club should Lopetegui be fired. Graham Potter because of course, this is an opportunity for him to show insight and air his own credentials for the role. I can almost hear the knives being sharpened already. Now all I have to do is find a way to watch ‘Amazon Prime’ without forking out another eighty quid.