Disgraceful photo from 11th minute of Everton game will fill West Ham fans with dread

West Ham United’s 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday at the London Stadium has left many fans frustrated and concerned about the direction the team is heading under manager Julen Lopetegui. It was a disappointing performance in a match that West Ham should have been looking to win, especially at home. The result and the manner of the performance have increased the pressure on Lopetegui, with many now questioning his tactics and ability to turn things around.

West Ham have now accumulated just 12 points from their first 11 Premier League games, a record that has left the team well outside the top half of the table. This poor start to the season has raised concerns among the club’s supporters, who had hoped for a more positive and attacking style of play under the Spanish manager. Lopetegui’s tactical setup in recent games, including against Everton, has been a major point of criticism. Many fans believe that his strategy is too passive, and that his approach is not getting the best out of the players at his disposal.

One of the most telling images from the Everton match was taken in the 11th minute, when West Ham’s players were seen sitting deep in their own half, almost inviting Everton to attack. This passive defensive setup against a team like Everton, who are not among the Premier League’s elite, was seen as unacceptable by many observers. At home, against an opponent that has struggled for form this season, West Ham should have been more aggressive, pressing high up the pitch and taking the game to their opponents. Instead, the players were content to sit back, offering little offensive threat and failing to impose themselves on the match.

The criticism of Lopetegui’s tactics isn’t just about the defensive setup. It’s also about his inability to find a solution when things aren’t going right. Against Everton, West Ham lacked any real creativity or intensity, and the manager seemed unsure of how to make changes to spark the team into life. His gestures from the touchline appeared to confuse the players rather than provide them with clear direction. It’s clear that Lopetegui is struggling to find the right balance between defense and attack, and this indecision has had a negative impact on the team’s performances.

What is also worrying is the lack of progress in the team’s overall style of play. West Ham have a number of talented attacking players, including Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma, and Michail Antonio, yet they have often appeared isolated and disconnected from the midfield. The team’s build-up play is slow and predictable, and they lack the cutting edge required to break down well-organized defenses like Everton’s. It’s hard to see what Lopetegui’s vision for the team is at the moment, and fans are starting to question whether he is the right man to lead them forward.

While some have pointed to the players as the root of the problem, there’s little doubt that Lopetegui’s tactics have been a major factor in West Ham’s struggles. In a match like Saturday’s, the manager should have been setting his team up to dominate possession and create chances. Instead, they were reactive, sitting deep and failing to apply any pressure on Everton’s defense. When you consider the attacking options at West Ham’s disposal, this approach feels like a missed opportunity.

There are reports that club owners David Sullivan and Tim Steidten are considering a meeting this week to discuss Lopetegui’s future, although these claims have been refuted by some club insiders. Nevertheless, it is clear that West Ham’s owners must be concerned about the team’s current state. The board should be looking closely at the situation, as the team’s poor form cannot continue without serious consequences. If the results don’t improve soon, Lopetegui may find himself under even more pressure.

For now, however, the focus will be on the next few games, and whether Lopetegui can find a way to turn things around. The team needs to find a way to play with more intensity, more cohesion, and more belief. If they don’t, it could mark the beginning of the end for Lopetegui’s time at the club. Fans will be hoping that the team can show some fight in the coming weeks, as they look to climb up the Premier League table and rediscover the form that made them one of the more exciting teams in the league last season.