Boss Julen Lopetegui has stressed the importance of his whole West Ham United squad being ready for the tough test promised by Saturday’s visit to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Hammers travel north looking to quickly bounce back from defeat at the hands of leaders Liverpool last time out, with what would be a first win at the Etihad Stadium since September 2015, against a side who have claimed the top-flight title in each of the past four seasons.
Despite recent head-to-head statistics being against them, Lopetegui’s troops will take some heart from the fact they registered eight points from a possible 12 ahead of last Sunday’s Liverpool match, and as a result of the Citizens’ stuttering form of late.
Indeed, City currently sit sixth in the ranks - and 14 points adrift of the top - following a run of just two league wins in ten, though they will be hoping they are on their way back to top form having seen off Leicester City 2-0 in their last outing of 2024.
The loss of captain Jarrod Bowen to an injury sustained against the Reds has steepened the Irons’ task on Saturday, but Lopetegui is confident that all of his players are ready to step up to their New Year challenge in the North West.
With Bowen’s fellow forward Michail Antonio also consigned to the sidelines - due to a car accident in the early part of last month - and the winter transfer window now open, the West Ham Head Coach was asked about the possibility of new arrivals, during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Also while sat down with the gathered press, Lopetegui took a moment to reflect on his time in east London so far, and his team’s impressive last two showings on the road, that yielded a draw at Bournemouth before a Boxing Day win in Southampton.
Relying on the whole squad
It’s true that Jarrod is our captain and one of our big players, but we have to be able to find a solution.
This is the moment for the others players to show that they are ready to help us, and that their answer is going to be good.
We are looking for the shortest possible recovery time for Jarrod, but in the same way we are believing in the other players in the squad, who will be looking to take advantage of their opportunity.
Thinking of Antonio
Michail is going to be out for a long time, for sure. It’s good news that he’s at home with his family, and I’m sure he’s going to try and recover as quickly as possible.
Transfer talk
It’s true that we have lost two forwards to injury recently, but the Club knows our needs and they are focused on working on that. I have to be focused on preparations for the next match.
I don’t want to talk about the transfer market, because the Club is going to do that work, and the players who are not here aren’t going to be able to help us in our next match.
We have to put the focus on being ready to compete on the pitch, because on Saturday there are going to be lots of important demands.
Reflections so far
I think we have had good moments, and that there have been other moments where we need to improve. We are very demanding of ourselves, and we will work hard to improve.
Now, starting the second half of the season, I think we all know each other better - me, the team and the players - and I think step-by-step we are building and getting stronger.
We know though that each match is a tough challenge, and for sure that will be the case on Saturday against Manchester City. We have to be ready to utilise all our strengths against a very good team.
A tough test
Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world. You can talk about recent weeks, but I know the quality of the team that we’re going to face.
They are a very good team, with very good players and a top coach, who have played with the same ideas for a long time. We are going to have a very demanding match.
But, we have to put the focus on the strengths we have, and believe that we are able to overcome these demands.
Last time we played Manchester City, I think we did some good things. They started well, but we had good moments. Every match is different though, and I think we are a different team now compared to then, so I am only focused on the here and now.
Encouraging away form
Always we try to do well, whether we are at home or away. For me every match has the same importance, and every match is different.
We try to improve things, whether we win, draw or lose games, and we are working hard to be ready to play Manchester City at their home on Saturday.
