The Hammers have conceded nine goals so far this term and the second-most Expected Goals, so a more defensively solid approach on Saturday at Gtech Community Stadium against Brentford is being called for.
West Ham are 14th in the Premier League table going into Saturday’s match. What have you made of what you’ve seen from them so far this season?
They look open in the back.
I appreciate that, coming from David Moyes’ low block and counter-attacking style, it is logical to anticipate the opposition to have a few more chances, but with the hope that you will look better going forward.
However, there are no clearly visible patterns of play, which is troubling.
They defeated Crystal Palace away and were extremely fortunate to keep a clean sheet, and they drew away at Fulham courtesy to a late Danny Ings strike in a game when Fulham were the superior team.
There were boos after West Ham’s third consecutive home league defeat against Chelsea last Saturday. Can you pinpoint why things haven’t clicked into gear yet?
I have to admit that Manchester City is the finest team in the world, Aston Villa finished in the Champions League last season, and Chelsea’s roster costs £1 billion.
While the City game may be written off, they lost 2-1 at home to Villa on the first day, and it might have easily been four.
When you get a new manager, you can see what they’re attempting to do, but the players haven’t quite figured it out yet.
I hope that in the near term, Lopetegui is simply trying to do too much too soon; perhaps he can attempt to reverse a little bit to try to do it a little more gently and return to being more solid at the back.
That is certainly what I am hoping for from the Brentford game.
Lopetegui has acknowledged the fans’ right to boo and recognised that improvement is needed. Overall, how have the fans taken to the Spaniard so far?
I would say they are still divided – and strangely, I believe they are still divided on Moyes.
People like myself are huge supporters of David Moyes, who adored all he accomplished for the club and thought the least he deserved was another chance to rebuild, reset, and go again, as he had done previously.
As effective as his second stint was, there were lulls, but he was always able to stop the slide.
There are fans who did not want the change in the first place, and then there are fans on the other side of the divide who were extremely Moyes-ish in the end, saying they need to give Lopetegui time because they see positive signals.
But it’s a results-driven game, and these debates can’t last much longer if they’re losing week after week.
Which player should Brentford fan keep an eye on?
Definitely Crysencio Summerville. He made his Premier League debut against Chelsea and was by far West Ham’s finest player; he appeared positive and energetic.
I was apprehensive when he signed that he would be Saïd Benrahma 2.0, and I know I am always unpopular among Brentford fans when I talk about my unhappiness with how the Algerian ended up flattering to deceive for West Ham.
But Summerville’s efforts thus far have left me feeling anything but that.
What can Brentford expect from West Ham in terms of shape and style?
If Niclas Füllkrug remains injured, it will most likely be a 4-2-3-1 with Lucas Paquetá, Mohammed Kudus, and Summerville as the attacking trio behind Jarrod Bowen.
Brentford fans can expect Aaron Wan-Bissaka to spend the majority of the game in Brentford’s half, although without the ball.
Last season’s two encounters resulted in one win apiece and 11 goals. What is your predicted score?
I believe Brentford will win 3-1 due to my drive to be correct rather than what I want to happen.
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