Julen Lopetegui singles out West Ham duo and unused sub for special praise. There is nothing quite like going into an international break off the back of a win and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui needed it. The October and November international breaks have seen off many a Premier League manager down the years.
So it was somewhat understandable the media were piling pressure on Julen Lopetegui given his underwhelming start to life at West Ham. There is nothing worse than wallowing on a defeat or disappointing result for two weeks while players meet up with their countries.
The void is usually filled with snowballing negativity among fans on social media. By contrast basking in a win for 14 days can do wonders for mood and confidence.
The Hammers had won just once in six Premier League games ahead of Ipswich. Lopetegui’s side were also propping up several important statistical tables too.
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West Ham ease pressure on Lopetegui with win of the year so far
Throw in rows with star players and the added pressure that comes with spending £155m on nine new signings and it means raised West Ham expectations and media glare are the price on the ticket.
That pressure has eased following the comfortable 4-1 win over the Tractor Boys.
West Ham finally produced a convincing and dominant performance against a side who have held Villa, Brighton and Fulham.
There had been question marks raised in some quarters that West Ham’s players ‘weren’t having’ Lopetegui.
But that was put to bed in the win over Ipswich from minute one. Quite literally.
The Hammers conceded a sloppy goal after Michail Antonio had given them their fastest ever goal at the London Stadium.
Once West Ham got themselves back in front, though, confidence visibly rose in what is arguably the club’s best league performance of a pretty dismal 2024 overall.
Goals from Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta meant all of West Ham’s big attacking stars got their names up in lights.
Lopetegui singles out duo and unused sub for special praise
But they were not the real stars of the show as far as the manager is concerned. Because Lopetegui has singled out a West Ham duo and an unused sub for special praise.
The Spaniard is usually reluctant to talk too much about individuals. He prefers to focus on the team as a whole – hence is bust-up with Kudus last weekend. Lopetegui has made an exception for brilliant budding defensive partnership Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman.
But he also had kind words for the man who has lost his place as a result – Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Speaking about the performance, West Ham’s 18th permanent manager made a point of highlighting the trio and the defence as a whole.
‘They are always ready and push one another on’
“I would like to highlight the defensive work we did, too,” Lopetegui told West Ham’s website.
“Against this kind of team, the key thing is that we defend very well and we don’t allow them to play us in their style. I think that was important.
“Jean-Clair Todibo did well and we are happy for him.
“There is good competition between him, Max and Dinos. “They are always ready and push one another on, so this is good.”
This is so heartening to hear for West Ham fans.
Todibo officially announced himself as a top class Premier League centre-back in West Ham’s win over Ipswich.
He joins Kilman in that group too.
Big Greek Mavropanos didn’t get on against Ipswich. And he will be under no illusions that he is now very much back-up at West Ham.
But the lack of depth in central defence means there will be plenty of games for Mavropanos over the course of the season. Mavropanos has impressed Lopetegui with his attitude to being dropped lately.
That shone through when he came on at right-back in the draw at Brentford. Kilman and Todibo have all the makings of a top class Prem central defensive partnership.
Between them they have everything. And with both being comfortable on the ball and carrying it forwards, it can help transform this West Ham team. Their performance against Ipswich gave an insight Into that and sets the bar for the rest of the season.
