‘He is so Ridiculous, Moyes is better’ – Roshane Thomas blasts Julen Lopetegui decision in West Ham loss v Nott’m Forest
Roshane Thomas has voiced strong criticism of West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui following the team’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the Premier League on Saturday, 2 November. The loss, marked by goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Ola Aina, left West Ham’s players and tactical choices under the microscope, with Thomas specifically questioning Lopetegui’s decision to replace Crysencio Summerville at half-time.
Summerville’s early substitution raised eyebrows among West Ham fans and analysts, as it was widely anticipated that Lucas Paqueta, who has been struggling for form, might have been a more fitting candidate to make way. The first half saw little offensive threat from either Summerville or Paqueta, as West Ham managed just one shot, failing to create any serious scoring opportunities. However, Thomas argues that Paqueta’s ongoing issues with consistency made him a more logical choice for a half-time substitution.
Recent performances have shown Paqueta lacking his usual creativity and spark. The Brazilian international has been on a notably poor run of form, raising questions about his place in the starting lineup. Indeed, sources such as GiveMeSport had hinted at the possibility of him being dropped altogether against Forest, but Lopetegui ultimately opted to keep Paqueta in the starting eleven. While Summerville’s impact in the opening 45 minutes was modest, many believe he might have offered a greater attacking option if he had been allowed to stay on for the second half.
Paqueta, meanwhile, went on to play the entire 90 minutes against Forest but contributed very little to West Ham’s performance. Despite recording 52 touches, Paqueta failed to create a single chance for his teammates, underscoring his struggles in orchestrating play. Additionally, his performance in duels was lackluster; FotMob reports that he lost 13 out of 19 contested duels, highlighting his difficulties in maintaining possession and influencing the game. To make matters worse, Paqueta picked up yet another yellow card, adding an air of frustration to an already disappointing outing.
This tactical decision has drawn criticism from many quarters, with Thomas among those suggesting that Lopetegui’s approach may have backfired. Summerville’s substitution limited West Ham’s ability to mount a potential comeback, as his pace and energy could have been an asset in the second half against a Forest side that was gradually gaining momentum. On the other hand, keeping Paqueta on despite his recent dip in form seemed to stifle West Ham’s attacking play further, with the Brazilian unable to find his rhythm or provide much-needed creativity.
For Lopetegui, the choice to retain Paqueta in the lineup—and allow him to complete the entire match—has sparked discussions about the manager’s decision-making under pressure. West Ham’s lack of depth and options to change the game might have factored into the decision, but many supporters believe that the more dynamic Summerville could have made a positive impact had he been given more time to settle into the game. This situation also brings attention to Paqueta’s position within the squad and whether he can continue to be relied upon as a creative force if his form doesn’t improve.
Thomas’s critique adds to a growing sentiment among West Ham fans that Lopetegui’s handling of Paqueta and the overall squad rotation may need to be reassessed. With Paqueta’s performances falling below expectations and Summerville eager to prove himself, Lopetegui may need to reconsider his tactical approach to get the best out of his players.