The opinion that West Ham head coach [Julen Lopetegui](https://www.claretandhugh.info/julen-lopetegui/) needs time to build a new Hammers team is starting to sound as hollow as it is ridiculous.
Let’s suppose for a moment that Lopetegui is capable of rebuilding a West Ham team in his image. The 58-year-old supposedly spent most of last season watching the team under [David Moyes](https://www.claretandhugh.info/david-moyes-bio/) and collating data on where the tactics were failing.
He was appointed with time to spare in pre-season, oversaw a full build-up programme, and was supported with significant financial backing. In short, everything was put in place for Lopetegui to build **West Ham** in his image and take the club forward.
Unfortunately for the club and the head coach, the team has gone backwards, which begs the question: how long are we supposed to wait for his ideas to work?
Other new managers appear to implement their ideas far more quickly, yet Lopetegui still struggles to get the Hammers players on-side.
Rumours of dressing room unrest are nothing new and date back to when Mohammed Kudus and the Irons boss reportedly had to be physically separated in the dressing room. It’s worth noting this is far from an isolated incident, with reports of an unhappy camp persisting despite the club’s best efforts to keep such stories under wraps.
Yesterday’s statistics may offer hope and evidence to some who claim Lopetegui is on the cusp of cracking the code. But statistics can be deceiving. Yes, West Ham had far more shots than Leicester City, but the team lacked real belief and drive, and confidence appears paper-thin.
Unfortunately, it’s becoming harder to justify why Lopetegui should stay. If he survives the week, I’d be amazed.