West Ham dressing room update: O’Rourke shares huge claim
Julen Lopetegui has been backed to achieve success at West Ham once his dressing room adapts to the comprehensive changes, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke explained that it can take months for a dressing room to adapt to new arrivals and a new manager, with the squad still in a transitional phase.
Not only is the manager still trying to get his ideas across, but the nine new signings at the London Stadium are forming relationships with their new teammates.
The likes of Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo and Crysencio Summerville have experienced slow starts to their careers in East London, but have been backed to make an impact with time.
West Ham are aiming to qualify for European football by finishing in the top six or higher this season with the squad at Lopetegui’s disposal.
However, with one win, one draw and two defeats in their first four league games, speculation about the boss’ future has been raised.
Sources say the board will continue to back their man as they did during the transfer window with the belief that the dressing room needs time to click.
Julen Lopetegui backed to achieve success at West Ham in dressing room reveal
After David Moyes left West Ham at the end of last season, it was widely understood that the club would undergo a period of transition with the new boss.
Not only is Lopetegui attempting to implement his style of play on the squad in training, but he must also form a rapport with his players both old and new.
The squad will be given time to gel, and inconsistencies on the pitch will be excused for a time while everybody adapts to the changes at the London Stadium.
However, results will dictate the manager’s long-term future, and while he retains the backing of his board after such a short time in charge, they will be keen to see an upturn in form.
Sources have told Football Insider that Lopetegui is set to experiment with his squad in a bid to find improved results, and Todibo will benefit from the change.
With the boss still figuring out his strongest XI and the dressing room yet to gel, it is expected that it will take time for West Ham to reach their top level.
In other news, an update has emerged on the future of West Ham-linked Joel Matip.
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