West Ham's manager Julen Lopetegui faces a crucial test against Ipswich Town this weekend. This game is a must-win for the Hammers, who have yet to secure a home victory in the Premier League. Lopetegui's tenure has been marked by an indifferent start, with only one win on the road at Crystal Palace since the campaign started. The lack of results, coupled with a string of high-profile player signings, has put the manager under immense pressure. 

Ipswich, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence. The Tractor Boys have only lost to the title-chasing Man City and Liverpool. With impressive draws against Brighton and Aston Villa, manager Kieran McKenna will be eager to claim his side's first three points of the season against a vulnerable host.

The game comes at a critical moment for West Ham, who have experienced a number of issues. Their previous home fixture was an unpleasant encounter, with the players being booed off the field following a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea. They have conceded six goals since that defeat. There is disquiet among supporters for several reasons: the incident with Kudus; conceding first in five of their six league matches; the attacking struggles of Kudus, captain Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta; and Crysencio Summerville’s slow integration into the XI. 

Lopetegui's Challenges

Lopetegui has been vocal about his need to improve West Ham's defensive record and enhance their offensive efficiency. “We are thinking how to improve the team, to be able to play better and develop our skills to win matches,” he said. “This is our work and this is the high pressure I can feel every day as a coach. I think the Premier League has 38 matches and we’ll talk in May.”

However, the slow start has put Lopetegui under scrutiny. The combined £52million spent on Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme should have been used for Duran. Having missed out on Duran, and with Fullkrug yet to get going, West Ham have only scored six league goals, five fewer than this stage last season.

Bowen and Michail Antonio have rotated the lone striker role in Fullkrug’s absence, while Guilherme is yet to play a single minute under Lopetegui since joining from Palmeiras. Bowen has registered two goals in eight appearances this season. His loss of form saw him left out of Lee Carsley’s England squad.

Can Ipswich Capitalize on West Ham's Struggles?

Ipswich's confidence stems from their recent unbeaten run. They are unbeaten in their last four games, with former West Ham loanee Kalvin Phillips having played in all of them. Their ability to hold their own against established Premier League teams suggests they are a force to be reckoned with. 

The Need for a Turning Point

For Lopetegui, this weekend’s game against Ipswich Town needs to be a much-needed turning point. Either that, or the lurching turbulence continues. West Ham fans are not always the most patient bunch, and they are expecting more than they have seen so far. The pressure is on Lopetegui to deliver a victory and restore faith in his team's abilities.

The Hammers have a talented squad, but it’s clear that they haven’t yet gelled under Lopetegui. This weekend’s match against Ipswich presents an opportunity for Lopetegui to prove his doubters wrong. A win would provide a much-needed boost and propel West Ham towards a more consistent and successful campaign. But if they fail to secure victory, it may be a sign that the challenges facing the Hammers are deeper than initially thought. The pressure will continue to mount on Lopetegui, and the question will remain: can he turn things around?

Looking Ahead

Lopetegui is under no illusions he has to sharpen up West Ham defensively and improve their offensive efficiency. He may take solace from fellow counterpart Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth manager, also having a slow start. Iraola only won once in his first 11 games as manager after his appointment in June 2023. But his side turned it around as they went unbeaten in their next seven fixtures — winning six — and exceeded expectations to finish 12th. Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta also endured difficulties in the early stages of his managerial spell.

Lopetegui wants fans to reserve judgement until May, but whether he will still be at the helm then is another matter.