Some West Ham fans and journalists have labelled Julen Lopetegui a ‘Spanish David Moyes’.
The Scot worked wonders for the Hammers.So while that could be seen as a compliment, the throwaway line is actually meant as an insult.
It is born out of frustration with some of Lopetegui’s early team selections, tactics and his decision to drip-feed new signings into the West Ham team.
The big noticeable difference between the two so far, though, is Lopetegui’s fierce passion on the sidelines and his readiness to make changes.
For one Hammer, though, he fell foul of both.Ironically Moyes’ first five games at West Ham closely mirror that of Lopetegui’s.
Fans are thirsty for something new and exciting.But Hammers supporters were angered by a number of Lopetegui’s decisions at Fulham.
The fact Michail Antonio was leading the line once again was red rag to a bull for many.
Antonio has started ahead of new striker signing Niclas Fullkrug in West Ham’s first three Premier League games.Lopetegui seen berating West Ham star
The German has been as frustrated as fans. Fullkrug said he didn’t come to West Ham to sit on the bench.
Tomas Soucek starting ahead of Lucas Paqueta was another irksome call.The Konstatinos Mavropanos issue has divided opinion. West Ham’s big Greek centre-back has been inconsistent since arriving last summer.
But while he has been pretty decent overall so far this term, there are calls for Jean-Clair Todibo to come into the side in his place.
Mavropanos started again but was at fault for Fulham’s goal.Seeing Mohammed Kudus pushed out to the left is also irritating Hammers supporters.
One journalist absolutely savaged the new West Ham boss after the Fulham draw. Lopetegui was likened to a pensioner with a collection of high-end sports cars.
Now it’s surely curtains for Antonio as a West Ham starter
Antonio in particular has been very poor this season after being handed the starting berth.
If Lopetegui wanted an excuse to drop the 34-year-old forward then he was handed it on a plate over the last couple of weeks.
After a terrible performance in the defeat to Man City, Antonio then played twice for Jamaica and completed a 12,000 mile round-trip over the international break.
West Ham don’t usually play Antonio in games close together given his history of hamstring injuries.
But Antonio started again at Fulham, perhaps for the last time.
Because Lopetegui was seen berating the West Ham star and now it’s surely curtains for him.
Hammers legend Tony Gale was on co-comms for the game at Craven Cottage.
And he noticed something on 18 minutes that suggests Lopetegui may have seen enough from Antonio.
Antonio has wasted big chance to keep Hammers shirt
Gale noted that ‘Lopetegui was going mad at Antonio after some really lazy play’ less than 20 minutes into an abysmal first half.
The observation was spot on as cameras showed an animated Lopetegui letting rip at Antonio for first failing to hold the ball up and then not busting a gut to help win it back.
Lopetegui went one step further at half-time by hauling Antonio off.
This will chime with Hammers fans who watched the game.
Antonio’s body language left a lot to be desired. He was seen walking around at times and offered nothing as a focal point for the attack.
Instead of relishing his opportunity to keep the shirt, Antonio has wasted it.
After his dressing down from the sideline and with Fullkrug hopefully back in action this weekend, this could be the last chance Antonio gets.
Particularly as Jarrod Bowen and Danny Ings are now arguably ahead of him in the pecking order too for the forward role.
