Julen Lopetegui must start teenager vs Newcastle instead of want-away £75k-a-wk West Ham man

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West Ham United face Newcastle United in the Premier League tonight, and Julen Lopetegui needs to make a big statement.

His job is at risk right now, and I truly believe he needs to come out punching up at St James’ Park this evening.

Julen Lopetegui takes his West Ham side to the North East to take on Newcastle, and a good performance will be required as a bare minimum.

In order to achieve that, the Spaniard needs to try something different. After all, the definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over again, whilst expecting different results.

If Lopetegui is to save his job, he needs to show that he’s prepared to make some big calls in order to improve the way that West Ham play as a team.

And I think he has a great opportunity to do just that against the Magpies tonight.

Julen Lopetegui must start 18-yo for West Ham vs Newcastle clash

I think it’s time for the Hammers head coach to add some real youthful exuberance to his starting lineup.

In my opinion, Lewis Orford should come into the team for the clash with Newcastle.

The 18-year-old has been sensational for the Hammers youth teams over the past year, and he is a tremendous talent.

Mark Noble recently raved about Orford, describing the teenager as a ‘fantastic’ young player.

The 18-year-old midfielder really does have everything needed to succeed at the very highest level of the game.

And I think he’s ready to play for the senior team.

In order to get him into the starting lineup, Lopetegui should drop Guido Rodriguez.

One thing the Hammers have desperately lacked this season is any kind of energy in central midfield.

Our geriatric engine room has been far too easy to play through, and Rodriguez has been miles off the pace.

The Argentina international, who earns £75k-a-week at the London Stadium (Spotrac), joined West Ham on a free transfer in the summer, after his contract expired with Real Betis.

However, he has proven to be a poor signing so far, and allegedly wants to leave the Hammers already.

I say good riddance…

Guido Rodriguez not good enough for the Premier League

The 30-year-old is a decent footballer, and is very neat and tidy.

However, he doesn’t have the physical attributes required to succeed in the Premier League.

Rodriguez is painfully slow, and has been far too easily bypassed time and time again by opposing midfielders.

The South American could definitely still do a job in La Liga or Serie A, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he leaves to join one of those leagues in January.

Surely Lopetegui can see that Rodriguez is a terrible fit for the Premier League.

And if I were the Spaniard, I would make a big statement by taking him out of the starting lineup for our clash with Newcastle United, and replacing him with West Ham teenager Lewis Orford.

The Hammers fans would be much more behind him if he did exactly that.