- West Ham continued their poor form in a 0-0 draw with Everton at the London Stadium
- Lopetegui’s job is to get the best out of the players, but they have to look at themselves
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It was not a sentence delivered with the ferocity that the choice of language may suggest, but Julen Lopetegui’s claim that his West Ham team needs to “grow” is perhaps indicative of the frustration he feels.
The Spaniard has been criticized for the Hammers’ poor start to the season, but you would be forgiven for thinking his players could give him a little more.
Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Everton was the third game in a row in which it took his team until the second half to show any real sign of life.
Some team members seem to be playing with themselves. Lucas Paquetá is one of them. The points-fixing hearing for the Brazilian, who could be banned for life, will take place in March, so his struggles are not surprising. But in a game like Saturday’s, he is the type of player West Ham need to step forward and provide a spark.
Jarrod Bowen, left out of England’s second consecutive call-up last week, has been the club’s best attacking player this season. But even he seemed in a bad mood Saturday, perhaps dragged down by the performances of those around him.
Julen Lopetegui has been criticized for the Hammers’ poor start to the season
Jarrod Bowen, along with several teammates, appeared in a bad mood against Everton.
Meanwhile, Jean-Clair Todibo is yet to prove why West Ham fought off competition from several top clubs to sign him in the summer.
It is Lopetegui’s job to make these players work as a team, but they also have to look at themselves.
“We need to grow as a team, grow as a group and have more personality, I think if we do that we will improve,” said Lopetegui.
‘The players have to say ‘here I am, we are going to be able to do the things we need’.
‘Surely they will grow in this situation. “I think this type of attitude, being an aggressive team, a team that wants to put pressure on the opponent’s half, is necessary.”
