The jury is still very much out on whether Julen Lopetegui is a good manager for West Ham but he’s certainly a lucky one.
West Ham have had a dismal season so far under Julen Lopetegui.
The team are awful to watch, there are no clear patterns of play or an identity to speak of.
Despite having a host of exciting players at his disposal, Lopetegui is failing to get the best out of most of them.
That was the case yet again as the Hammers went to relegation fodder Southampton.
The Saints are on course to be the worst team in Premier League history.
Hopeless West Ham off hook again
But for most of this game you would not know which side were the team destined to be demoted to the Championship.
Southampton had the better chances and should have been out of sight before West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen scored a scrappy second half goal.
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It’s not the first time that’s been the case under Lopetegui.
The Hammers were ridiculously fortunate to win against Palace, Man United and Wolves.
Draws with Fulham and Brighton were also extremely lucky.
Now the trip to basement boys Southampton can be added to the list.
Ivan Juric, Manager of Southampton, and Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United, react during the Premier League match between Southampton FC a...
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
West Ham’s 3/10 man Fullkrug shows he’s not the answer
West Ham were terrible in the first half as Southampton were unable to convert a host of golden chances.
Then came Bowen’s fox in the box finish in the second half after some ugly but effective build-up play.
Hammers fans have been arguing that isolated wins over some of the worst teams in the division prove nothing about Lopetegui or the team.
There was absolutely nothing in the performance against Southampton to suggest West Ham have suddenly clicked and can go on to bigger and better things.
They were lucky and there’s no other way to dress it up.
Hopeless West Ham were let off the hook again as 3/10 man shows he’s not the answer in lucky win.
Nothing sums up West Ham’s luck more than the fact the worst player on the pitch set up the winning goal.
Niclas Fullkrug has proved to be a disastrous signing so far.
After three months out injured, the German made his first start in the draw with Brighton.
But he came off after an anonymous performance.
Fullkrug looked one-paced and ineffective again as he continually gave the ball away and offered zero threat in behind.
He looked like a Championship player as he toiled against the worst team in the top flight.
Jan Bednarek(R) of Southampton and Niclas Fullkrug of West Ham during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United FC at St ...
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Hammers smash and grab at Southampton
It wasn’t all Fullkrug’s fault of course. The lack of service was just as alarming and brought memories of Gianluca Scamacca and Sebastien Haller screaming back.
In the first half Fullkrug touched the ball just 13 times, less than any other player on the pitch – including goalkeeper Alphonse Areola who came on in the 36th minute.
Fullkrug is not the answer to West Ham’s striker woes.
The Hammers simply must bring in a new forward in January.
Make no mistake, against a better team Fullkrug would not have had a kick.
With that being said, Fullkrug did work hard and was in the right place to flick the ball on for Bowen to snaffle the all-important winning goal.
West Ham had just two shots on target in the game to Southampton’s six.
But the Saints had so many chances they could and should have converted in addition to those.
The Hammers were often outplayed by the worst team in the division.
That tells you everything you need to know.
West Ham player ratings vs Saints:
Lukasz Fabianski – 7/10 (Alphonse Areola – 6/10):Lukasz Fabianski produced a stunning save to keep West Ham in the game before going off with a nasty knock. Areola didn’t have much to do due to Southampton’s woeful finishing.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8/10: West Ham’s best player yet again. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was absolutely everywhere, supporting attacks and making important last ditch tackles. A rare highlight.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 6/10: Managed to get through 90 minutes without making any glaring errors. But West Ham could have lost this heavily as he and his fellow defenders failed to deal with Paul Onuachu.
Max Kilman – 5/10 (Jean-Clair Todibo – 5/10): Looked off it from the start and was forced off with a bizarre shoulder injury. Has been one of the Hammers’ best players this season so that’s a real worry. Jean-Clair Todibo did ok but like Mavropanos he too struggled against Onuachu and was lucky not to be punished.
Emerson Palmieri – 6/10 (Vladimir Coufal N/A): Emerson was steady enough but allowed far too many crosses into the box from his side. Didn’t support the attack as he can do. Vladimir Coufal was not on long enough for a rating.
Guido Rodriguez – 4/10 (Aaron Cresswell 5/10): Guido Rodriguez was a surprise starter and the decision looked a baffling one as he put in an awful display where he showed he’s simply not cut out for the pace of the Premier League. Being subbed off after 68 minutes sums it up.
Tomas Soucek – 6/10: Pretty anonymous but committed as ever and headed the ball back across which ultimately made the winning goal.
Carlos Soler – 5/10 (Edson Alvarez – 6/10): Carlos Soler has been one of West Ham’s best players of late. He was sorely missed against Brighton. He picked up where he left off with a tidy display but was hooked at half-time. Edson Alvarez did not do too much of note when coming on in his place but the Hammers had a touch more control in the second half.
Mohammed Kudus – 5/10: Mohammed Kudus complained about Lopetegui playing him out of position on the left following the draw with Brighton. But he was out there once again and was totally ineffective. It is criminal that Lopetegui is failing to get the best out of a player of Kudus’ talents.
Jarrod Bowen – 7/10: West Ham’s best of a bad bunch alongside Wan-Bissaka. Got the all-important goal. But he kept hold of the ball too long and was too greedy at times. Lost the ball more often than usual. But that’s because he feels he carries the weight of responsibility of being the man who has to drive the team forward.
Niclas Fullkrug – 3/10 (Crynsencio Summerville 5/10): Fullkrug showed he is not the answer up front for West Ham. Once again the Hammers have signed a forward with no clear gameplan to actually get the best out of their attributes and provide them service. Fullkrug is slow and lacks dynamism. Subbed off with just under 30 minutes to play. West Ham need a younger forward with pace urgently. Crysencio Summerville was ok when he came on and almost got a goal but the Hammers were on the back foot for the most part in that time.
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