‘Saddened ‘former West ham manager expressed his feelings after hearing about the team
Alan Pardew has shared his disappointment and concerns after witnessing West Ham United’s humiliating 5-2 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League. The former Hammers manager, speaking on talkSPORT on 1 December, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Julen Lopetegui’s struggling side, particularly after their disastrous first-half showing at the London Stadium on 30 November.
A Painful Night for West Ham
The match started as a nightmare for West Ham, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal running riot in the first 35 minutes, scoring four goals with apparent ease. While Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri gave the Hammers a glimmer of hope by netting two goals of their own, Bukayo Saka’s penalty just before halftime effectively killed off any chance of a comeback. The first half ended with the Gunners leading 5-2, leaving West Ham fans stunned and disheartened.
Pardew, reflecting on the dismal performance, admitted how painful it was to hear the result, especially knowing how passionate and loyal West Ham supporters are. “It was hurting to hear that scoreline,” he said. “And that stadium, I know what they’re like, West Ham fans, that has not gone down well.”
Identity Crisis and Relegation Fears
The former manager went on to express his concerns about the club’s lack of direction and consistency this season under Lopetegui. “I think this season has been a real catalogue of, ‘What have we got here?’, ‘What sort of team are we?’. And I think that question mark still hangs over him.”
Despite the struggles, Pardew believes West Ham’s squad possesses too much quality to be relegated, though he admits they are precariously close to the danger zone. “They’re just outside that six-team portfolio I put together of teams I think are going to get relegated. I got West Ham just out of that because I think they’ve got far too much quality in their group. But the manager, for whatever reason, can’t seem to get consistency out of them.”
Lopetegui Under Fire
Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham has been marked by inconsistency and underperformance. The Hammers currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, with just four wins to their name. The high expectations set during the summer, when the Spanish coach was appointed and handed several high-profile signings, have quickly dissipated.
The likes of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Guido Rodriguez, and Crysencio Summerville were brought in to strengthen the squad, but their impact has been minimal. Even established players who thrived under David Moyes have failed to deliver under Lopetegui’s leadership.
Against Arsenal, West Ham’s defensive frailties were glaring. Sloppy goals and poor organization highlighted the team’s struggles, while their brief moments of promise were overshadowed by the ease with which the Gunners dismantled them. Fans’ frustrations were evident as many left the stadium before the final whistle, disillusioned by another lackluster performance.
A Season of Unfulfilled Promises
When Lopetegui arrived in East London, there was optimism that he would implement a more dominant and attacking style of play. However, the reality has been starkly different. The team has struggled to find cohesion, and questions are mounting about whether the former Wolves boss can turn things around.
Alan Pardew’s remarks resonate with the feelings of many West Ham supporters. While the club’s quality on paper suggests they should avoid relegation, their on-pitch performances are a cause for genuine concern. If Lopetegui cannot bring consistency and resilience to his side soon, the Hammers could find themselves embroiled in a battle to stay in the Premier League.
The pressure is firmly on Lopetegui to prove he can deliver results and restore faith among the fans. Time is running out, and without significant improvements, West Ham’s season could spiral further out of control.
