´Focused´ Lopetegui ready for ´tough´ challenges ahead despite Wolves win

Julen Lopetegui insisted that he is “focused” on the “tough” challenges ahead for West Ham despite their much-needed win over Wolves on Monday.

Jarrod Bowen sealed the victory with a fine individual effort in the second half after Matt Doherty had cancelled out Tomas Soucek’s looping header that opened the scoring.

The result saw the Hammers stay in 14th in the Premier League table, but they now have a nine point cushion between themselves and the bottom three.

West Ham have six days to prepare for their next league game away to Bournemouth next Monday, with the Cherries buoyed by their late win over Ipswich Town.

The Hammers also face Brighton, Southampton and Liverpool during December, and Lopetegui did not understate the importance of those next four matches.

“That is going to be tough too for sure, as Bournemouth are a very, very good team, and they are having a very, very good time,” Lopetegui said.

“So we have to be ready to go there, to compete and to be able to overcome all the difficulties again as a team. We have to stay focused for the next challenges.”

This one was for you, Michail pic.twitter.com/A7kNImxGNy

— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 9, 2024

Heading into Monday’s game, West Ham had been beaten in back-to-back league games by Arsenal and Leicester City.

The pressure was continuing to pile on Lopetegui, despite only taking charge in May, with fears a defeat against Wolves could have spelt the end for the Spaniard.

And speaking after Monday’s triumph, Lopetegui highlighted his side’s mentality after Doherty’s leveller as key to earning all three points at the London Stadium.

“Sometimes we can start this kind of week having doubts and thinking that maybe we can lose, so that’s why I am happy with the reaction of the team,” Lopetegui added.

“They showed that they have a strong mentality and this is a good way for the next step.”

Lopetegui also lauded captain Bowen for his contribution during the game, with the England international continuing his fine form against Wolves.

He has now scored six top-flight goals against Wolves. Only Carlton Cole (seven vs Fulham) has scored more for West Ham against a specific opponent in the competition.

“It was a very good goal for Jarrod and afterwards I think we handled the match well. In the end, I think we achieved the three points that we deserved,” Lopetegui concluded.