“Finish above West Ham do you?” Chris Sutton blast West Ham saying they will never finish the season above three down Table position
Julen Lopetegui’s team returned from the international break with a 4-1 loss in North London on Saturday, 19 October, with Mohammed Kudus’ late red card adding to the misery.
The defeat leaves West Ham 15th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone. However, BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton believes the Hammers will avoid relegation, despite one fan expressing concerns.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live’s 606 (19 October, 1:16:15), Sutton said: “You think West Ham will go down? They’ve had a poor start, but I believe they have the quality of players.
“You think Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, and Ipswich Town will all finish above West Ham?”
The fan responded: “I think the three teams that will go down will be Ipswich, Southampton, and West Ham. I know it’s a bold prediction, but I’ll call back at the end of the season, and you guys can tell me I was right.”
**Is West Ham at risk of relegation after Lopetegui’s arrival?**
While there’s reason for concern at the London Stadium right now, it’s too early to seriously suggest relegation is a realistic threat at this point in the season.
West Ham struggled in the second half against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, but they are far from one of the three worst teams in the league. Their results reflect that.
Lopetegui’s side has shown promise against teams like Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. While fans may expect the Hammers to compete against top sides like Spurs and Chelsea, it’s matches against mid-table teams that truly determine Premier League survival.
With Lopetegui in charge, West Ham should comfortably avoid relegation. The disappointment comes from higher expectations—many fans and pundits expected the Hammers to push for European places again this season, and that hasn’t been the case. As a result, the pressure on Lopetegui and his team remains high.