Ray Winstone has launched a scathing attack on West Ham United manager Julien Lopetegui, branding the team’s current state an “absolute mess”.
The actor and Hammers fan expressed his frustration with Lopetegui’s tactics, claiming that the Spaniard is being “completely exposed” and that it’s like “the blind leading the deaf” at the London Stadium.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Winstone said: “Tactically, I think that’s where we’re lacking. It’s like the blind leading the deaf, and it hasn’t been put right.
“I look at it and I think surely it’s got to be tactically where they’re getting it wrong. It’s not the players. The players have played in a high-class kind of football, but for me tactically, it’s a mess. It’s an absolute mess.”
Winstone’s comments come after West Ham’s disappointing start to the season, with just three Premier League wins and a current position of 14th in the table.
Despite having a squad with talented players like Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus, Lopetegui’s team has struggled to find consistency and cohesion.
Winstone added: “I want to see Lopetegui succeed, I really do. But I’m looking at it and thinking, ‘Where’s it going to come from?’ Nothing will give me greater pleasure than seeing this man do the business, but I just can’t see it at the moment.”
Lopetegui’s future at West Ham is already under scrutiny, and Winstone’s comments will only add to the pressure on the Spanish manager.
With a crucial match against Newcastle United coming up, Lopetegui will be hoping to turn things around and prove his doubters wrong. However, if he fails to deliver, his time at West Ham could be coming to an end.
As Winstone so bluntly put it, “If he can’t [turn it around], the 58-year-old’s time in East London could be heading for a premature end.”
The pressure is mounting on Lopetegui, and he will be aware that he needs to start delivering results quickly. The West Ham board will be watching closely, and if Lopetegui fails to turn things around, he could be facing the axe.
Winstone’s comments are a reflection of the frustration felt by many West Ham fans, who are desperate to see their team succeed. The Hammers have a proud history, and the current state of the team is a far cry from the glory days of the past.
Lopetegui has his work cut out for him, and he will need to start delivering results quickly if he is to save his job. The pressure is on, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.
In the meantime, West Ham fans will be hoping that Lopetegui can turn things around and lead the team to success. However, if he fails to deliver, it could be a long and difficult season for the Hammers.
As Winstone said, “It’s an absolute mess, and something needs to be done about it.” The question is, what will Lopetegui do to turn things around, and will it be enough to save his job? Only time will tell.
Former West Ham player, Tony Cottee, also shared his thoughts on Lopetegui’s situation. “I think Lopetegui is a good manager, but he’s got a tough job on his hands,” Cottee said. “The team is struggling, and he needs to find a way to turn things around quickly.
“It’s not just about the results, it’s about the performances as well. The team needs to start playing with more confidence and cohesion, and Lopetegui needs to find a way to get the best out of his players.”
Cottee also believes that Lopetegui needs to take a closer look at his tactics and make some changes. “I think Lopetegui needs to have a good look at his tactics and see what’s not working,” Cottee said. “He needs to make some changes and try to find a way to get the team playing more consistently.
“It’s not going to be easy, but Lopetegui is an experienced manager, and I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to turn things around.”
West Ham’s next match is against Newcastle United, and it’s a game that Lopetegui cannot afford to lose. The pressure is on, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.
As Winstone said, “It’s an absolute mess, and something needs to be done about it.” The question is, what will Lopetegui do to turn things around, and will it
