West Ham United are on course for a lacklustre Premier League campaign, with Opta’s supercomputer predicting a 14th-place finish following their drab 0-0 draw against Everton on 9 November.
Despite the Hammers’ inability to break down a struggling Everton side at the London Stadium, the forecast suggests they will avoid relegation comfortably, with a projected total of 45 points.
According to The Opta Analyst, West Ham have just a 3.69 per cent chance of relegation and an even slimmer 0.26 per cent chance of securing Europa League qualification.
However, such modest expectations underline the mediocrity that has plagued the team under Julen Lopetegui’s tenure.
West Ham’s struggles this season have exposed what many now see as a failed gamble by the board in appointing the Spaniard to replace David Moyes.
The decision, which was initially met with cautious optimism, is beginning to look like a major misstep. With just three wins from their opening 11 league fixtures, Lopetegui’s reign has done little to inspire confidence.
Reports from TalkSPORT ahead of the Everton clash suggest Lopetegui has already lost the dressing room, with several key players “not fully on board” with his methods.
This disconnect was evident in a lifeless display against the Toffees, where Crysencio Summerville stood out as the sole performer willing to fight for the manager.
Both Lopetegui and Everton’s Sean Dyche now face mounting scrutiny, with their cautious approaches resulting in a game devoid of ambition. Neither side seemed willing to take the risks necessary to secure a crucial victory.
Although West Ham’s hierarchy is expected to refrain from discussing Lopetegui’s future during the international break, the club’s direction since Moyes’ departure is cause for concern. Tough decisions loom in East London as the Hammers confront their worrying decline.