Julen Lopetegui has named his West Ham starting XI ahead of their clash against Brentford in a return to Premier League action on Saturday 28 September.
The Hammers posted their starting XI on X with the Spaniard bringing Michail Antonio and Mohammed Kudus into his side at the GTECH Community Stadium, making seven changes from the defeat against Liverpool.
Despite having positive periods last time out, the result was an embarrassment and summed up where the club is right now under the Spaniard.
Brentford lost Ivan Toney over the summer and are without Yoane Wissa through injury, the Irons have to get back on track with a positive result.
With that being said, it is a bizarre choice from Lopetegui for Danny Ings to drop out for Antonio.
West Ham mistake already made v Brentford
The Hammers are in desperate need of three points after failing to secure a win since 24 August against Crystal Palace.
A positive result had been taken in the EFL Cup against Bournemouth earlier in the season but that was all but forgotten after a 5-1 loss at Anfield on Wednesday (25 September).
As a result, it is no surprise to see the Spanish head coach return to a stronger-looking starting XI against the Bees.
Alphonse Areola is back in between the sticks after Lucasz Fabianski’s difficult night out against the Reds.
In the back line, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson have come in at full-back while Max Kilman keeps his place alongside Jean-Clair Todibo.
With Edson Alvarez’s ridiculous sending-off, he misses out so Tomas Soucek is now joined by Guido Rodriguez with Lucas Paqueta coming back in at the number 10.
Skipper Jarrod Bowen keeps his place with Crysencio Summerville dropping to the bench as Kudus returns to the starting lineup.
Ings performed well against Liverpool, when given a chance to get involved, but has been swapped out for Antonio who hasn’t scored a Hammers goal since April.
