Chris Sutton West Jam United Julen Lopetegui
Chris Sutton has offered his verdict on West Ham United and Julen Lopetegui
Carla Devine
Tue 24 December 2024 14:10, UK
Julen Lopetegui can silence Chris Sutton after what he said about the Boxing Day clash between West Ham and Southampton.
Although the Spaniard didn’t have a good start to the season with the Hammers, Lopetegui looks like he may be slowly on his way to steadying the ship.
There is plenty of work to be done but the Irons currently sit eight points away from the top six and eight points above the relegation zone, with the upcoming weeks possibly season-defining.
Sutton remains sceptical of the manager ahead of the trip to Southampton, as he wrote in his BBC predictions: “The Hammers have got some really quality players, like Jarrod Bowen, and I keep thinking they are eventually going to get going and find some consistency, but it has not happened yet.
“I’m still not convinced by West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, and I don’t really know what to expect from Juric, so the safest prediction here is probably another 1-1 draw – which would be West Ham’s third in a row, all against south coast clubs.”
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It’s not the first time that Sutton has criticised Lopetegui this season and it seems as though he will continue to do so until the Spaniard pulls off a big win.
Although the noise surrounding the boss’ future at The London Stadium has reduced, there is still a need for him to deliver with plenty of people left to convince that he can be the one to take the Hammers forward and against Southampton would be a perfect time to do so.
West Ham United's London Stadium
London Stadium, the home of West Ham United
The Irons could well feel offended at Sutton predicting they will draw with Southampton. While the Saints do have a new manager in charge now, they are a side that has struggled immensely this season and with confidence in the camp low, there is no option for the Hammers other than to take advantage of this.
If West Ham can dominate this game and come out on top, they could move above Manchester United and Tottenham, depending on other results and if that doesn’t stop Sutton digging Lopetegui out, what will?
In other West Ham news, Martin Allen has hit out at the Hammers’ transfer policy, posting his verdict on social media.
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