West Ham United play host to Brighton in the Premier League this afternoon, and Julen Lopetegui has to get his setup absolutely spot on.
Julen Lopetegui spoke to the press on Friday ahead of the West Ham vs Brighton clash, and admitted that he has one big injury concern ahead of the game.
The Hammers have been incredibly poor this season, but there have been small signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Today’s clash with Brighton is a really big one.
Win, and we can really kick on and hunt down the European spots. However, lose, and it will be a season of mid-table mediocrity ahead of us, at best.
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring his side's first goal with his manager Julen Lopetegui during the Premier League match between A...
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It really could be a sliding doors moment for the Hammers today.
Let’s hope we get the win, but Lopetegui will have a huge part to play in our chances of doing just that.
Lopetegui can’t make appalling West Ham decisions vs Brighton
So, on Monday night for our clash with Bournemouth, Lopetegui started Jarrod Bowen through the middle as a central striker, with Mohammed Kudus out wide on the left wing.
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That meant that Lucas Paqueta started the game on the right wing, and it just didn’t work.
It’s no surprise really is it, considering the fact that our three best players were all operating in the wrong positions.
When Bowen plays through the middle, he gets lost in the game sometimes due to his lack of height and physicality.
And in what is a double blow for us, we lose his brilliance down the right hand flank at the same time. The 28-year-old must start on the right wing against Brighton.
Meanwhile, Kudus’s worst position in my eyes is out on the left wing. Because he’s left footed, he’s unable to cut back inside and shoot at goal, and often ends up down blind alleys near the corner flag.
Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United celebrate with Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta after scoring the first goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match...
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Lopetegui simply must start him in the number 10 role today – his self confessed best position – so that he can cause real damage to the Brighton back-line.
And finally, I want to see Lucas Paqueta playing in the deeper number 8 role this afternoon, from where he will be able to dictate the tempo of the game in the absence of Carlos Soler.
Crysencio Summerville can then come back into the team in the left wing position.
For all of this to work, Niclas Fullkrug will have to be the focal point through the middle for us. He’s surely deserving of a start now – let’s see what he’s truly capable of.
West Ham desperately need all three points against Brighton at the London Stadium today.
In order to achieve that though, Julen Lopetegui has to make some really brave decisions, or if you think about it, he just needs to use his common sense.
Using square pegs in round holes is just not acceptable anymore.
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