West Ham’s owners made the situation perfectly clear to Julen Lopetegui before the game at Leicester City.
The Hammers board admitted they were ‘baffled’ by the contrast in performance between the Newcastle and Arsenal games.
As a result West Ham’s hierarchy stated games against Leicester and Wolves were “massive”.
The club’s owners and fans expected nothing less than a West Ham win.
After all Leicester were one of only three sides to be worse than the Hammers defensively.
West Ham spent £155m in the summer while Leicester could barely make any additions after their promotion due to PSR.
For the avoidance of doubt, journalist Jacob Steinberg – who is close with Hammers chief David Sullivan – confirmed Julen Lopetegui could be sacked if his team were beaten by the Foxes.
And approaches had already been made to ex Porto boss Sergio Conceicao as his replacement.
To add further pressure on Lopetegui’s shoulders ahead of the game, Conceicao reportedly turned down a frantic approach from Everton.
The reason? According to Steinberg and L’Equipe, charismatic 50-year-old Conceicao wants to take the West Ham job.
Well if Lopetegui’s job was on the line should the Irons lose at the King Power then it’s almost certainly curtains for the Spaniard after yet another defeat.
Whatever Lopetegui’s message was to his players before kick-off, it didn’t work.
West Ham found themselves 1-0 down after just two minutes.
Inexplicably playing a high line against the still speedy Jamie Vardy was instantly punished.
Yes the Hammers huffed and puffed and racked up plenty of shots. But you can’t defend like this and expect to win Premier League football matches.
West Ham’s shambolic defensive displays have become an all too common theme of Lopetegui’s dismal tenure.
There are shocking similarities between Lopetegui’s naive approach and that of Manuel Pellegrini.
Like Lopetegui, the Chilean was treated to a lavish transfer spend but failed to deliver.
He was ultimately sacked after a December defeat to Leicester.
Whether that’s an omen or not, we shall find out very soon.
Now the West Ham corner flag picture is surely imminent and it’s time for Conceicao.
This cannot go on.
Hammers fans should not be fooled by the impressive looking stats.
Leicester are atrocious. They are a Championship team masquerading as a Premier League side.
West Ham lose must-win game 3-0 to atrocious Leicester
Once again Lopetegui’s team selection and tactics were suspect.
Mohammed Kudus on the left again before Lopetegui gave up and switched him to the right in the second half.
Poor Crysencio Summerville dropped.
Emerson left out so that the ageing Vladimir Coufal could be brought in.
Danny Ings started up front – which he had earned on recent sub appearances – but his lack of game time was exposed as he was blowing within 20 minutes and had a really poor night.
This was a must win and Lopetegui’s side failed to deliver.
If West Ham were unlucky to lose then let’s revisit games against Palace, Man United and Bournemouth in the cup shall we?
The Hammers should have been dead and buried in all three but got away with it.
So we can’t now turn around and bemoan our luck when we fail to take chances in a game that should have offered more.
These capitulations have become an embarrassment.
After this defeat, only one team – Wolves – have conceded more than West Ham’s 27 goals.
West Ham corner flag picture surely imminent
It cannot and should not go on. If the ultimatum and leaks from the owners before the game are anything to go by, it won’t.
If reports from Steinberg and France this evening are true and Conceicao does indeed want his job, Sullivan should have been on the phone to him midway through the second half at the King Power.
Two months ago I stated West Ham must return to Portugal if they sack Lopetegui – for that man Conceicao.
If West Ham are not going to be bold and appoint a manager who can transform them into a possession-dominant, innovative attacking force then go out and get the best there is to suit the players we have.
Make no mistake about it, Conceicao could be that man.
The cigar-smoking boss achieved significant success with Porto since his appointment in 2017. He has shown the kind of tactical intelligence, leadership and the ability to consistently compete at a high level both domestically and in European competitions.
Conceicao’s passion and approach has earned him comparisons with Diego Simeone.
He’s nowhere near as pragmatic and risk averse as Simeone, which will be a relief to hear. But he is every bit as passionate and demanding.
Since joining Porto, Conceição won multiple Primeira Liga titles, along with domestic cups such as the Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
Under his leadership, Porto has maintained its status as one of the dominant forces in Portuguese football, challenging rivals like Benfica and Sporting and winning 11 trophies in seven seasons.
Lopetegui won’t win 11 games this season if he stays never mind a trophy.
Conceicao does like his teams to be disciplined defensively – but my goodness West Ham need that.
It’s time for Conceicao at West Ham and here’s why
Rather than blindly set up with the same tactics no matter the opposition, his team’s style of play is based on the opposition they’re facing.
That doesn’t mean it’s boring to watch, though. Anything but. There’d be no three and four goal collapses under him.
The Hammers would get high pressing, compact defensive shapes and quick transitions in abundance with Conceição at the helm.
He’s also comfortable switching formations with a solid 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 his preferred setups depending on the match requirements and opposition.
Forget stats, though, the good old fashioned eyes test will tell you what you need to know about Conceição. You watch Porto and they excite you in the way they attack with pace and vigour and defend with fight and passion.
Conceição has consistently led Porto to competitive runs in the Champions League and Europa League, with standout performances, including knocking out Juventus in the 2020-21 Champions League round of 16.
His Porto side has gained a reputation for being tough to break down in Europe, showing that he can manage at the highest level.
But it is his strong leadership and ability to motivate his players which makes him perfect for West Ham.
Conceição is early Mourinho-esque in the way he creates a close-knit, competitive squad and siege mentality.
And guess what West Ham fans – he loves nothing more than helping develop and bring through young talents into the first team.
His intensity and passion are there for all to see on the touchline, and he demands a lot from his players, instilling a winning mentality.
Conceição’s football might not be the most aesthetically pleasing for fans of attacking, possession-dominant play. But West Ham’s owners clearly don’t feel they want or can risk that kind of appointment on the evidence of the summer and the Lopetegui hire.
What Conceição’s style is, though, is highly effective, intense, and tactically flexible.
He is the man the Hammers need to get the best out of this squad.
The club are just treading water prolonging this failed Lopetegui experiment.
Post the corner flag picture West Ham and breathe some life into this ailing season while there’s still time.
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