- West Ham were booed during a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday
- Julen Lopetegui has been criticised for their form since replacing David Moyes
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West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is confident his team’s results will improve but insists results under him are still developing.
The Hammers were booed at the London Stadium on Saturday after a harrowing 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, a club record third successive home defeat at the start of a league season.
The 58-year-old Lopetegui has won just one game in his first five league games since taking over from David Moyes as manager in the summer.
Next up is a tough trip to Anfield for a League Cup third round clash with Liverpool. The Spaniard has indicated he will continue to rotate his team despite the need for a confidence-boosting win.
“They (the players) all have the opportunity to play, but I repeat that tomorrow we have to balance the team,” he said.
Julen Lopetegui believes results will come soon for his West Ham team
The Hammers have won just one of their first five league games under the Spanish manager
West Ham will play title holders Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday
‘There will certainly be changes, but we have to try to get the most out of our squad. At the same time, we always have to assume that the team we field is ready for the tough task at Anfield.
“We’re going to play against the current champions of the league and we’re going to play at Anfield. We’re going to go into all competitions with the intention of doing our best and getting as far as we can in the league. It’s not an easy task, but we’re going there with this ambition.”
A win at Anfield would go a long way towards easing the growing pressure that is beginning to mount on Lopetegui from some sections of the club’s fanbase.
The manner in which West Ham gifted Chelsea victory was particularly worrying, with Lopetegui taking full blame for their poor performance.
He said: ‘Mistakes are part of football because we make decisions and those decisions sometimes work better, sometimes worse. I am sure the team will perform better and the results we want will come.’
Lopetegui also stressed that he will have to be patient with the likes of Carlos Soler and Jean-Clair Todibo, players signed this summer who have had limited playing time so far.
Summer signings Jean-Clair Todibo (left) and Carlos Soler (right) struggle for playing time
Striker Niclas Fullkrug has returned to training after an Achilles tendon injury he sustained during the international period with Germany. He may be part of the squad that travels to Liverpool.
“It’s true that we have many players, players who have never played in the Premier League,” Lopetegui said. “They have to adapt as quickly as possible and we have to help them. That’s why we are a team in construction.
“It is true that he (Fullkrug) has not had continuity, because when he started to feel better, he had a small injury with the German national team. That is a pity, because he was very close to playing for us.
“At this moment we have to evaluate him, see how he is to play minutes or not. He is going to bring us his experience and help us to be a stronger team.”