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West Ham turned Spursy as they threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 4-1 to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Julen Lopetegui made an utterly bizarre admission ahead of West Ham’s Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Hammers boss said Spurs are his guilty pleasure and a team he loves to watch under Ange Postecoglou.

Well the Spaniard got to enjoy them up close as his team offered up a spineless performance to lose 4-1 in north London.

Make no mistake it could and should have been by more too. Even Timo Werner nearly got on the scoresheet – that’s how bad this Hammers collapse was.

That has been a recurring theme in all bar one of West Ham’s games this season.

Even the win at Palace, the hosts should have been out of sight.

West Ham got off to a great start against Tottenham.

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Despite Spurs dominating possession, Mohammed Kudus put West Ham ahead on 18 minutes as he bobbled one in after great work by Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Spurs racked up 12 corners in the first half but West Ham stood firm until Lucas Paqueta and Alphonse Areola cost them dear.

West Ham’s number one has been disappointing this season. The Frenchman’s distribution has been poor and causing the team problems.

Paqueta’s own woeful form stretches back to the turn of the year.

The Brazilian has been at fault for numerous goals already this season.

And he added another to his list when he tried a silly turn on the ball, giving it away for Spurs to break.

Dejan Kulusevski then cut inside and fired in at the near post. Areola got a hand to it, though, and should have perhaps kept it out but didn’t.

Spineless collapse takes shine off 8/10 West Ham quartet

Paqueta should have come off at half-time but somehow stayed on despite his lack of contribution and yellow card.

He was asleep as Tottenham attacked again and Yves Bissouma strolled into West Ham’s box to fire home.

Areola was poor again, virtually laying on the floor before Bissouma had even struck the ball.

The collapse that followed was woeful and will have alarm bells ringing yet again over Lopetegui.

Areola had an own goal added to his dismal day – rather harshly it must be said.

The Hammers huffed and puffed but at 4-1 the game was gone.

It was a shame given three West Ham players performed brilliantly for the most part.

Jarrod Bowen, Kudus, Guido Rodriguez and Wan-Bissaka put in 8/10 displays.

Emerson Palmieri was very good too.

West Ham fans left the game with 15 minutes still to play. And not for the first time this season.

Lopetegui will have big questions to answer after this and rightly so.

What Paqueta has to do to be dropped is anyone’s guess.

And West Ham’s failure to get the striker decisions right in the summer is costing them as dearly as some of these embarrassing performances.

Many will argue Lopetegui needs time. But losing 4-1 to your fiercest Premier League rivals won’t help buy him that.

West Ham ratings vs Spurs as pathetic Paqueta and awful Areola take shine off 8/10 quartet.

Alphonse Areola – 3/10: Areola’s distribution is getting worse with every passing game. And the huge kicks he used to have in his armoury seem to have deserted him. Made one excellent reaction save in the first half. But his decision-making was very questionable again.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8/10: Shouldn’t have been on the losing side. Brilliant defensively and going forward for the most part. Linked well with Bowen and Kudus and played a part in the goal. Made countless excellent last ditch tackles and blocks. Caught up the pitch for the second goal but that is on the manager.

Emerson Palmieri – 7/10: Probably the best Emerson has played all season – even all year. Was getting stuck in and helped the team spring forward. Not at fault for the collapse but did get caught up the pitch too often as things fell apart.

Jean-Clair Todibo – 5/10: Good first half, terrible second half. Todibo wasn’t the problem, it was a lack of protection in front of him.

Max Kilman – 5/10: Same as Todibo. Too weak at times but again, that midfield – as a unit – in front of the defence is nowhere near good enough to be competitive in the Premier League.

Guido Rodriguez – 8/10: Lost count of the number of vital tackles and interceptions the Argentine made in the first half. Played two brilliant forward passes which unlocked the Spurs defence too. But playing alongside Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta was a thankless task.

Lucas Paqueta – 2/10: Ask yourself what did Paqueta do in this game? He made absolutely no contribution to one of West Ham’s biggest games of the season. Doesn’t create chances, doesn’t score goals with any regularity, doesn’t really get stuck in or show any discipline in his defensive duties. Paqueta is a huge problem for Lopetegui. The sooner he is dropped the better. A liability, as he showed by giving the ball away for the first and failing to track Bissouma for the second.

Tomas Soucek – 4/10: Did ok in the first half. But Soucek stood out for his lack of pace and mobility against a much more fluid Spurs midfield. It’s not Soucek’s fault necessarily but this West Ham midfield has been put together with absolutely no plan or thought. It’s a hodge podge of players who do not complement each other at all.

Mohammed Kudus – 8/10: Could be downgraded for getting sent off. But if we’re honest this would have been even worse were it not for Kudus. Comfortably West Ham’s most talented player he and Bowen were the only ones causing Tottenham problems. Now he’ll be missing until AFTER the November international break that is the biggest worry for Lopetegui.

Jarrod Bowen – 8/10: Makes West Ham tick and did not stop all game as usual. Set up the goal and did not deserve to captain the team to a 4-1 defeat.

Michail Antonio – 5/10: Bizarrely won praise from the commentary team despite being absolutely pocketed by Micky van de Ven. Peter Crouch praised his work rate but Antonio was walking around at times and just letting Spurs players get to the ball first. That has been a common theme in his play all season. Too often makes the wrong decision in possession or is guilty of a poor touch. The fact West Ham are still relying on the soon-to-be 35-year-old as their starting striker is nothing short of laughable.

SUBS:

Crysencio Summerville – 7/10: Very bright and impressive, should have been on at half-time. Will now get the big chance he deserves after Kudus’ sending off.

Julen Lopetegui has named his West Ham starting XI for the game vs Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

West Ham desperately need a positive result in the Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Julen Lopetegui has made a slow start to life at the London Stadium, although the Hammers head coach did oversee a timely 4-1 win over Ipswich Town last time out two weeks ago.

The Spaniard told reporters on Thursday that this game is no different to any other…sigh.

And Ange Postecoglou showed up his counterpart before the game by highlighting how important the match is.

The most important thing for Lopetegui and the Hammers will be getting the win though. That’s all that matters now.

So how has the West Ham gaffer set up his team to take on Spurs?

Confirmed West Ham starting XI vs Tottenham

Lopetegui has named a strong XI for the London derby today.

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The Spaniard has made a big call after the win over Ipswich, as confirmed via the club’s official X account.

Here’s how we line up today:

Alphonse Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Emerson Palmieri, Guido Rodriguez, Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio

That’s a very strong team if you ask me – I’m just hoping that every single players is pumped up for the game inside that dressing room.

I have to say, I’m surprised that Edson Alvarez didn’t come back into the team, but we should still be strong enough to get the job done today.

Each and every West Ham player who’s starting the game against Tottenham has to be 100% on their best form, if we are to get the win today.

It will be tough going, but there’s no reason why we can’t get a positive result.

The West Ham starting XI selected by Lopetegui should give us a good chance of achieving just that.

COYI X

The big five pundits have had their say on West Ham’s trip to face Spurs in the Premier League as predictions are made.

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur is always a hotly contested affair.

As the Premier League resumes with a clash between the London rivals, there’s plenty at stake.

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has just got his head above water with that 4-1 win over Ipswich before the international break.

The spotlight has shifted over to Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou since.

Spurs’ collapse from a 2-0 half-time lead at Brighton to lose 3-2 has piled pressure on the Australian.

If the Hammers can repeat last season’s result in this fixture, they will go above Tottenham.

And that really would turn up the heat on the Spurs boss.

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Plenty at stake as West Ham head to Tottenham

Tottenham have a host of key players back for the game including the brilliant Son Heung-min.

Their in-form goalscorer Brennan Johnson is also available after suffering an injury on international duty.

West Ham have a near fully fit squad bar striker Niclas Fullkrug.

The German has missed the last five games and has no return date with new rumours suggesting his injury issue is worse than West Ham are letting on.

Bragging rights are on the line in north London and near fully fit squads means there are no excuses.

Postecoglou said he had been waiting 10 days to explode at his players for the Brighton collapse.

So West Ham will be facing a fired up Tottenham side.

Who will come out on top, though?

The big five pundits all agree when it comes to West Ham at Spurs as predictions are made.

From Alan Shearer to Mark Lawrenson, here’s what each has had to say.

Shearer on Spurs vs West Ham: ‘Huge game for Spurs’

Record Premier League goalscorer Shearer doesn’t call a score in his predictions.

Shearer says West Ham will rightly believe they can get something out of the game.

But he is backing Spurs to edge a very tight contest to ease the pressure on Postecoglou.

“This is a big game for Ange Postecoglou,” Shearer said in The Metro.

“It’s a huge game for Spurs after what happened to them last time at Brighton.

“He has said himself that the biggest disappointment of his Spurs reign so far was the way they crumbled when winning 2-0 last time out.

“West Ham will take some encouragement from that performance; they can be brave, and they might believe they can get something out of the game.

“Ange will be looking and demanding a real performance after what happened in the last game, and because of that, I’ll go for Tottenham to edge it, just.”

Sutton on Spurs vs West Ham: ‘Son the difference’

Chris Sutton believes Tottenham will ‘give someone a hiding soon’. He doesn’t think that will be the Hammers.

But he does believe Spurs will emerge victorious 3-1 – with Son the difference maker between the two sides.

“West Ham got the win they needed against Ipswich before the international break, but it was a very different story for Tottenham against Brighton,” Sutton told BBC Sport.

“It is typical, really, because everyone had been singing Ange Postecoglou’s praises following Spurs’ win at Manchester United the previous week, talking about how he had built a team with an identity… but then they fell apart in the second half against the Seagulls.

“I don’t think Spurs’ defeat was down to his style of football, though. It was because of shocking defending, and the way they lost duels all over the pitch.

“I am expecting them to bounce back here, helped by the fact that Son Heung-min is in contention after a few weeks out.

“I’ve been saying it for a while now, but Tottenham are going to give someone an absolute hiding sooner or later. I don’t think it will happen against the Hammers, but I do think they will win this one easily enough.”

Paul Merson labelled Tottenham more ‘Spursy’ than ever after the Brighton collapse.

He believes West Ham will start firing once Lopetegui settles on his best side.

But Merson doesn’t believe the Spaniard knows what that looks like yet.

And so he is backing Tottenham to edge this one 2-1.

“This is a massive football match due to the intense rivalry between the two sides,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

“Tottenham looked great for 45 minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, but they eventually ended up doing what they’re know for during that 3-2 loss. The ‘Spursy tag seems to never leave them!

“We saw the same thing happening during the game against Leicester City, now it’s happened again. When they’re 2-0 up and cruising, everything seems great. But as soon as they concede, no one wants to stand up for each other. That’s a worrying trend and a huge problem for Ange Postecoglou.

“Spurs crumble too quickly under pressure. We’re only in October and we’ve seen it happen twice now. They were probably playing their best team against Brighton, I really don’t think there’s a lot wrong with that line up either. When things are going well, all their players want to get on the ball and do things. But when it’s not, no one seems to want the ball! This is the problem.”

Lawrenson on Spurs vs West Ham: ‘Might just get it done’

Lawrenson agrees with Merson, backing Tottenham to edge the derby 2-1.

“It’s yet another London fixture for West Ham and they had a good, much-needed win against Ipswich last time out while Tottenham absolutely threw it away against Brighton,” Lawrenson said.

“Spurs might just get it done here though.”

Jones Knows on Spurs vs West Ham: ‘Tottenham revved up’

Lewis Jones – better known as Jones Knows on Sky Sports – is one of their leading analysts and experts.

There’s more bad news for West Ham as he has called the game the same as Merson and Lawrenson, 2-1 to Tottenham.

“You can just picture Ange Postecoglou rocking in his chair over the international period, plotting how to get a reaction out of his Tottenham players following their embarrassing collapse at Brighton,” Jones told Sky Sports.

“He branded it the “worst defeat” of his reign at Spurs, labelling the second-half performance “unacceptable”.

“A reaction is expected in what is one of their biggest games of the season for the fanbase – there is little love lost between Spurs and West Ham.”

Spurs welcome rivals West Ham for the first Premier League match after the international break and an unprecedented plan is in place.

As far as Premier League rivalries go there aren’t too many fiercer than the one West Ham and Tottenham share.

Both the Hammers and Spurs have bigger rivals in the shape of Millwall and Arsenal of course.

But make no mistake West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur is right up there.

There have been dodgy Lasagnes, unofficial transfer embargoes, former players biting current ones and battles over a stadium.

It’s not just on the terraces West Ham and Tottenham don’t see eye-to-eye either.

Relations are extremely frosty between the two boardrooms – particularly regarding Karren Brady, David Sullivan and Daniel Levy.

Especially after the clubs went through the courts over an alleged spying scandal where West Ham vice-chair Brady was the target.

The rivalry resumes for another season on Saturday.

TNT Sports has been doing its best to stoke the fire.

The broadcaster appeared to try and belittle West Ham in the build up.

Their controversial social media promo backfired on Tottenham.

Bragging rights are always on the line in this fixture.

There is added spice this weekend in that the losing manager will come under serious pressure.

West Ham can go above Spurs with a win.

The Hammers will – as they do at every away ground – turn out in force at Tottenham.

Usually this fixture gives the Met Police plenty to think about.

Something highly unusual is happening this time, though.

Winter says unprecedented plan in place for Spurs vs West Ham

Henry Winter says an unprecedented plan is in place when Spurs face West Ham in the Premier League.

Ordinarily a sizeable police presence is needed at these games to ensure fans of West Ham and Tottenham are kept separated.

But journalist Winter has revealed West Ham and Spurs supporters are coming together before the big game.

Both sets of fans are unhappy with their owners over ticket pricing and strategy.

Now they are joining forces to send a powerful message to Levy, Sullivan, Brady and co.

“Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham fans are meeting up before Saturday’s game to stage a joint protest against their clubs’ changes to concessionary prices,” Winter said alongside images of both clubs’ protest banners.

Hammers News can confirm rivalries are indeed being put to one side ahead of the game.

West Ham fan group Hammers United and Tottenham supporter group Save Our Seniors are coming together for the greater good.

“At this weekend’s London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, fans of both clubs will put aside local rivalries by coming together to protest at the removal and reduction of concessionary tickets at both clubs,” Hammers United said.

“The erosion of concessions is an unnecessary attack on some of their most loyal and vulnerable supporters by two of the Premier League’s wealthiest institutions.”

‘Stinking decision if West Ham and Spurs are working together’

Meanwhile Spurs group Save Our Seniors state the ticket strategy of both clubs must be bad to get West Ham and Tottenham fans working together.

“It has to be a stinking decision to get West Ham and Spurs fans working together,” Save Our Seniors said.

“Removing Senior Concessions is just that. Enough is Enough. Make a stand with Save Our Seniors this Saturday.”

Why are Tottenham fans protesting?

Spurs take in close to £6m at every home game – or £114m across a Premier League season at home.

Yet their “attack on concessions” will reportedly save then just £3m a year.

That equates to just three per cent of the money Tottenham received in broadcast income in 2022/23. It’s also 100% of the bonus Chairman Daniel Levy paid himself in the same year.

In trying to justify the decision, Spurs said the increase in the number of senior concessions was “clearly not sustainable” – which means it is concerned loyal fans are not dying off quickly enough to enable it to make even more money.

Tottenham are the eighth richest club in world football, according to Deloitte.

Why are West Ham fans protesting?

At West Ham, fans were outraged when the club withdrew concessions for new season ticket holders in all but a small number of seats right at the back of the stadium – in Bands 5 and 6.

Without concessions, new Under-18 season ticket holders were hit with four, five and almost six-fold price increases in Bands 1-4, most of the stadium, with the same prices doubling for pensioners.

The club offered no concessions at all in one-off sales for opening games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, with children being charged up to £95 for ordinary seats.

Liverpool University football finance expert Kieran Maguire estimated that season ticket concession withdrawal at West Ham would raise just £600,000 per year – 0.25 per cent of turnover.

“They are telling pensioners and kids ‘you’re not welcome’ at West Ham,” said Paul Colborne, who chairs Hammers United, one of the fan groups involved in the protest.

“That’s not the West Ham Way. It makes a mockery of the club’s commitment to ‘affordable family football.’ It will rip the heart and soul out of the club.”

What is planned for the joint West Ham and Spurs protest?

West Ham’s ‘Save Our Concessions’ and Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘Save Our Seniors’ have been staging visual protests at games in defence of concessionary ticketing for several months.

On Saturday they plan to stand together “against the greed and contempt shown by our clubs”.

As well as meeting outside the ground with banners, the protest will continue inside Tottenham’s stadium.

When the teams emerge from the tunnel ahead of kick-off, there will be a release of black balloons by both home and away fans.

Before kick-off, there will be a photoshoot with fans of both clubs displaying banners. A video interview and package will also be available the day after the game for media outlets.

West Ham have been putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the big Premier League clash with rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

West Ham will welcome back the last of their international stars today ahead of the big game at Spurs.

With games against Millwall a rarity, playing Tottenham Hotspur is as big as it gets for West Ham.

It has become one of the biggest London derbies in the Premier League.

There’s plenty at stake too with West Ham knowing they can leapfrog Tottenham with a win.

The Hammers have good memories of the game in north London last season.

They came from behind to beat Spurs 2-1 and exposed Ange Postecoglou’s high line as well as his team’s propensity to throw away leads.

Five big things seen in West Ham training for Tottenham

That trait is still prevalent this season as Tottenham lost 3-2 after being 2-0 up at half-time against Brighton last time out.

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In his pre-match press conference Julen Lopetegui has highlighted West Ham must try to expose Tottenham’s high line and also win ‘lots of mini matches’ around the pitch.

West Ham have been in training at Rush Green ahead of the game.

The Hammers have released video footage of the session.

And it is quite revealing – perhaps too revealing when it comes to the tactics.

Here’s five big things seen in West Ham training as trio shine and the Spurs gameplan is given away.

Last month West Ham actually published an article telling fans to be excited about Ezra Mayers.

It has been claimed young defender Kaelan Casey is seen as West Ham’s fourth choice centre-back this season.

The club describe Mayers as ‘one of West Ham United Academy’s most exciting prospects’.

West Ham say he is ‘fearless and dependable in the heart of the defence’.

Mayers is clearly highly rated by Lopetegui. Because he has been training with West Ham’s first team ahead of the Spurs game.

But he’s not just training, he’s seriously impressing too. Footage shows Mayers looking very much at home in and amongst the first team stars. Lopetegui and his coaches and can be heard applauding the defender, who impresses in a series of drills and small-sided games.

Luis Guilherme has been eased in to life at West Ham.

But there are signs he’s getting closer to potentially making an impact in the first team.

The Brazilian teen was signed for £20m from Palmeiras in the summer. But he has barely been seen since.

That changed when Guilherme came on as a late sub against Ipswich.

Now he is starting to show what he is capable of in first team training.

Footage shows Guilherme looking very sharp ahead of Tottenham. Scoring goals and using his skill and pace to good effect.

He’s not the only winger impressing in training, either. Crysencio Summerville has gone from being the first name on the team sheet every week at Leeds to sitting on the bench at West Ham.

Supporters have been really impressed with the Dutchman when he has been given a chance. Hammers fans have been calling for Jarrod Bowen to play up front Mohammed Kudus can move across and Summerville can come into the starting XI.

Summerville was scoring for fun in training and he must surely be knocking on the door to start soon.

Transferring his goalscoring exploits in training to the game against rivals Spurs would certainly do his case no harm at all.

Jean-Clair Todibo’s performance against Ipswich felt like he had arrived.

The French centre-back is another new signing who has been made to wait.

But it seems to have been the right call from Lopetegui based on his performances against Brentford and Ipswich.

His partnership with fellow new boy Max Kilman is seriously exciting West Ham fans.

And Todibo is looking pure class in training. During rondos his touch, awareness and passing was top level. He is seen wearing a big smile on his face and looks like he can be a real leader for the Hammers.

A quality performance in a positive result against Tottenham will see others outside West Ham start to take notice.

The biggest thing spotted in training was the tactics Lopetegui appears to be preparing for Spurs.

It’s unusual for clubs to give too much away in training ground footage.

But West Ham’s players were being put through a very specific drill.

Short sharp passing forwards between three players on rotation with a third man run.

It is a drill used to practice springing counter attack by playing around a press and high line in tight spaces.

The video very much suggests that Lopetegui will be playing on the counter against Spurs.

Especially in light of his comments about winning the ‘mini matches across the pitch’.

It seems a sensible approach and worked last year.

There is no love lost between West Ham or bitter rival Tottenham Hotspur, but somebody had better tell Julen Lopetegui.

Dress it up whichever way you want, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur simply do not like one another.

Millwall are West Ham’s biggest rivals and Arsenal are Tottenham’s.

But make no mistake West Ham vs Tottenham has grown into one of the big London derbies in the Premier League.

So much has gone on between the two clubs down the years.

From Lasagne-gate to an unofficial transfer embargo between the two clubs after a fallout over a deal for Emmanuel Adebayor.

From the Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick situation to the Hammers and Spurs fighting over a stadium.

Relations in the boardroom remain frosty to this day – especially after the clubs went through the courts over an alleged spying scandal where West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady was the target.

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There have been some classic games and goals between West Ham and Spurs.

Hammers fans take great pleasure in lording their European trophy win over Tottenham, who last lifted silverware when they won the League Cup in 2008.

Battle lines have been drawn again this week as the two clubs meet in north London on Saturday lunchtime.

West Ham boss Lopetegui makes staggering Spurs admission

There is already plenty at stake beyond the usual bragging rights.

West Ham can go above Tottenham with a win.

That would pile pressure on Ange Postecoglou after the collapse against Brighton before the international break.

The jury is still out on whether Postecoglou’s unique style and approach can bring success to Spurs.

West Ham will be among the rivals sincerely hoping he doesn’t. Not least because vice-chair Brady – far from the most popular person in east London – predicted the Australian would.

Helping prove the Baroness wrong would be just as satisfying as beating Spurs for many of the Hammers faithful.

West Ham have a new-look team after a big summer overhaul.

But the players need to be in no doubt – this is a game they simply must be up for.

There can be no repeat of the passive, insipid performances already witnessed against the likes of Chelsea.

The problem is somebody needs to tell the manager.

Hammers boss concedes Tottenham are his guilty pleasure

Because West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has put his foot in his mouth with a staggering Spurs admission.

Speaking ahead of the game, Lopetegui has admitted Postecoglou’s Tottenham are his guilty pleasure.

It’s one thing being honest.

But West Ham’s head coach has raved about his club’s fierce rivals and says he loves to watch them.

“We’re focused 100 per cent on the next challenge against one of the best teams in the Premier League,” Lopetegui said in his press conference, which you can watch below.

“They have really good intensity, players and ideas. I like to watch them…

“I think Ange changed a lot of things in their team.

“In my opinion, he made their players and team better and that’s why I like to see this team. They work together.

“But we have to put the focus on us and have an answer because we have to be on it to get the win.”

Sorry what?

This is both naive and a touch embarrassing.

Somebody needs to make it abundantly clear to Lopetegui what this game means.

He did acknowledge that West Ham fans ‘will demand the best from us’.

But this sends the wrong message to the players, who need to be under no illusions about this particular match.

Talking Tottenham up like they’re world beaters won’t sit well with supporters and could have the players taking the wrong mindset into the game.

Sometimes certain things are best left unsaid, ‘mate’.

Especially when you are still trying to win over your own fanbase.

West Ham United face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday, and Julen Lopetegui may well have to juggle some things around with his starting XI.

Julen Lopetegui will be desperate for his West Ham side to start climbing the Premier League table, but a clash away at Tottenham doesn’t inspire much confidence, I have to be honest.

Annoyingly, Lopetegui suggested during his pre-match press conference that the clash with Spurs is no different to any other game.

As we all know, that is far from the case, and I’m just hoping that isn’t the message he is giving the Hammers players behind closed doors.

The West Ham players need to be more up for this game than they have for any other they’ve played this season.

Matches against Tottenham mean so much to the fans, and the team need to be aware of that.

The good news is that the Hammers head coach has an incredibly strong squad of players at his disposal.

Ahead of the game, it seems like Lopetegui may be forced into making a couple of changes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

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West Ham could have new-look attack for Tottenham clash

There was a big hint dropped in the training video posted to the club’s official website on Wednesday.

And it revolves around how Lopetegui may set up his team to take on Spurs in the huge London derby on Saturday.

During a six-and-a-half minute video posted from Rush Green, there were multiple absentees from the training session, namely Lucas Paqueta.

However, another absence caught my eye – that of Michail Antonio.

The 34-year-old has been away on international duty with Jamaica, and played 83 minutes combined during their games against Nicaragua and Honduras.

The clash with Honduras didn’t finish until 4am UK time on Tuesday morning. Antonio may well train today and tomorrow, but he will be shattered from the travel that he’s just completed over the past week.

I actually think that the former Nottingham Forest man’s absence from training on Wednesday is a big hint that he won’t be starting against Tottenham.

Instead, that job will be given to Jarrod Bowen in my opinion, and I expect the 27-year-old to be flanked by Mohammed Kudus on the right and either Lucas Paqueta or Crysencio Summerville on the left.

Considering the fact that Paqueta wasn’t seen in training as well, and his statement on X in response to the FA betting probe against him, we could have a completely new-look front-line for the Spurs clash.

There’s no way that Danny Ings will start, what with Tottenham’s high line, and the Hammers’ need for pace and power to exploit that.

With Niclas Fullkrug out, I can see a front-line of Bowen, Kudus and Summerville.

Tottenham will certainly not be relishing facing that West Ham attack, what with the pace and power they all possess.

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui faced the media on Thursday during his press conference ahead of our clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Tottenham play host to West Ham in the Premier League this weekend, and Julen Lopetegui covered a variety of topics during his press conference ahead of the game.

The Hammers desperately need a result against Spurs, but Lopetegui has a few things to worry about ahead of the match, including the fact that Lucas Paqueta was absent from training yesterday for unknown reasons.

West Ham will be buoyed by our win over Ipswich Town last time out 12 days ago, but Tottenham away is a different kettle of fish entirely.

A heavy to Spurs would put Lopetegui under real pressure.

His players have to be right up for this one, otherwise Tottenham will run away with it.

Julen Lopetegui commits cardinal sin during pre-Tottenham press conference

We as fans all know just how important this game is.

In the Premier League, Tottenham are our fiercest rivals, and bragging rights are at stake this weekend.

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Hopefully the players are fully aware of just how much this one means as well.

Lopetegui addressed the media this afternoon, and responded to a question regarding the significance of the Spurs clash.

And unfortunately, he committed a cardinal sin when answering the press.

Lopetegui said, “We are happy to have had one victory but now we’re focused 100 per cent on the next challenge against one of the best teams in the Premier League. They have really good intensity, players and ideas. I like to watch them.“

“We can’t prepare fully for the match because players have been away, but that is not an excuse.“

“I know about this derby but we have to put the focus on the football. We have to put our focus only on the play and the ball and that’s no different from all the matches.“

See, Lopetegui has missed the mark here by a very long way as far as I’m concerned.

This game is different to the rest, and the players need to be made aware of that, especially the new signings.

The West Ham players have to understand the significance of the game against Tottenham, and what it means to the fans.

If they look at it as ‘any other game’, they will not be able to match the Spurs players for intensity.

Julen Lopetegui made a big error by talking up the importance of the Tottenham game during his pre-match press conference today in my opinion.

I’m just hoping that behind closed doors he is drilling in to his players just how much this London derby means.

TNT Sports has tried to stoke the fire ahead of the big Premier League clash with West Ham but their disrespectful promo has backfired.

The international break is over and Premier League action resumes this weekend with a big one.

West Ham head to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur with plenty at stake.

The Hammers can go above Spurs with a victory.

That would really light a fire under the Julen Lopetegui era after the 4-1 win over Ipswich.

At the same time it would pile more pressure on Ange Postecoglou.

The Tottenham boss saw his team throw away a 2-0 lead at Brighton to lose 3-2 last time out.

There are serious doubts whether his style of play and approach can make Tottenham successful.

Eddie Howe is being linked with the Spurs job as part of potential new investment in north London.

Lopetegui has been a target for the press ever since he replaced David Moyes at West Ham.

Now Postecoglou is getting a taste of that kind of treatment.

It started when he was repeatedly questioned about his declaration that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club.

Tottenham have not won any silverware for 16 years – since the 2008 League Cup.

West Ham meanwhile won a European trophy just last summer with their Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina.

Hammers fans have been proudly letting everyone know they’re champions of Europe.

But it seems the broadcasters of Saturday’s big game have tried to belittle the achievement.

TNT Sports have disrespected West Ham with a Spurs trophy kick ahead of their Premier League clash.

But it has backfired spectactularly.

TNT has posted a video promo for Saturday’s London derby on social media.

It opens with James Maddison asking ‘West Ham?’ in a condescending manner.

The clip shows Joe Cole famously saying Spurs ‘don’t win trophies and are not a big club’.

And TNT Sports then decided to edit footage of Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven booting away West Ham’s European trophy.

One graphic then shows dozens of Tottenham stickers saying ‘West Ham who?’.

The disrespectful tone of the promo has not been lost on West Ham fans.

Meanwhile Spurs supporters have been lapping it up – particularly the trophy kick.

But all it has served to do is make Tottenham – somehow – look even more Spursy.

The attempt to belittle West Ham’s achievement has been met with some angry responses among the Hammers faithful.

Everyone is saying the same thing, though.

That the trophy kick is the closest Tottenham have got to a trophy for 16 years.

Let’s have it right – a major broadcaster editing a Spurs player kicking a European cup their rivals have won because they can’t use footage of Tottenham players lifting a trophy is rather self-defeating.

It does not show TNT Sports in a particularly good light either.

Would they do something like that for Liverpool or Manchester United?

It shows a distinct lack of respect to West Ham, especially being a Spurs player.

But the fact it has backfired on Tottenham means the Hammers have the last laugh.

Lopetegui will be hoping that is the case on the pitch too at the end of the game on Saturday lunchtime.

This is a rivalry that doesn’t need to be stoked. TNT tried to do just that and failed miserably.

West Ham majority owner David Sullivan has sanctioned a plan to get three star players back for the huge clash with Spurs.

The Hammers head to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

As always seems to be the case between West Ham and Spurs, there’s plenty at stake.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is under pressure.

So much so the Australian has taken some of the media heat and spotlight off of West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham will leapfrog Spurs in the fledgling table if they repeat what they did back in December by winning in north London.

The Hammers have their strongest squad for years after a bumper summer window.

At the time of writing Lopetegui appears to have only one major concern for Spurs with Niclas Fullkrug unlikely to be available.

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The big German striker has been out since the September international break with injury.

Worried West Ham launch action ahead of Spurs

The 31-year-old is yet to resume training with his teammates.

Tottenham meanwhile could be without two players including top scorer Brennan Johnson.

Meanwhile Son Heung-min and Richarlison are potential doubts.

With Fullkrug unlikely to play, it is vital West Ham have their other star attackers available for the short trip to north London.

Jarrod Bowen was left out of the England squad so he has been able to enjoy an extended break.

But other key stars Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and Lucas Paqueta must complete long round trips ahead of Spurs.

Hammers News revealed earlier that West Ham had concerns about getting Kudus back.

That’s after issues which impacted Nigeria in Libya – where Kudus has just played Sudan.

The club told Hammers News they would be monitoring the situation.

Private jets laid on to get Kudus and co back for Tottenham

Well now worried West Ham have launched action to get Kudus and duo back for the Spurs clash.

Speaking exclusively to Hammers News, the top spokesman close to West Ham’s owners has revealed the club is jetting into action.

Quite literally.

Majority owner David Sullivan and the board have sanctioned Tim Steidten and the club to lay on private jets for three key players to ensure there are no issues getting them back in a smooth and timely fashion for the Tottenham game.

“We are now putting on planes for two or three players,” the key senior source told Hammers News.

Those players are Kudus, Alvarez and Antonio.

Alvarez is set to play for Mexico against USA in Guadalajara in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Antonio started for Jamaica in a 0-0 draw at home against Honduras.

The striker, who scored his first West Ham goal of the season against Ipswich last time out, played 83 minutes.

Now West Ham have arranged private planes to get the key trio back to east London as soon as possible with the Tottenham match looming large.

Board well aware what Hammers clash with Spurs means

Hammers fans will be delighted to see the club’s owners taking such affirmative action.

There’s no love lost between West Ham and Spurs. And that’s clearly not lost on the board either.

Tottenham Hotspur have a slight edge over the Irons in terms of overall victories in fixtures between the two clubs.

Of 155 competitive matches between them, Tottenham have 67 wins to West Ham’s 52 and there have been 36 draws.

Tottenham vs West Ham is live on TNT Sports on Saturday lunchtime.

The broadcaster has today released a video promo for the game in which Micky van de Ven has been edited to boot West Ham’s Europa Conference League trophy in the air.