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Julen Lopetegui will be under “so much pressure” if West Ham United fail to beat Ipswich Town on Saturday (5 October), Paul Merson has said.

Speaking to Sportskeeda (3 October), Merson warned Lopetegui that clubs often panic and sack under-fire managers during international breaks, adding that Irons fans could be ready to turn on the Spaniard.

While still predicting a 3-1 win for the Hammers in Saturday’s (5 October) match, Merson acknowledged that Ipswich will be keen to exploit the poor run of form Lopetegui’s side are currently in.

He said: “I would be shocked if West Ham lose this game if I’m being honest – I have a feeling they’ll come alive in this fixture and get that much-needed win.

“If you’re Ipswich, this is the best time to play West Ham. However, the gulf in class is still quite evident.

“If West Ham fail to win this game, Julen Lopetegui will come under so much pressure – international breaks are known for club owners panicking and several managers often getting sacked.

“Failure to beat this newly-promoted Ipswich could also result in the fans turning their back on the manager.”

Julen Lopetegui could be on the brink if West Ham lose to Ipswich

Although we’re merely six games into the new Premier League season, the Irons are arguably the biggest underachievers in the division thus far, with just one win and a meagre five points under their belts.

For all the money spent on new acquisitions for Lopetegui in the summer transfer window – to the tune of over £130million – the same old frailties and deficiencies present under David Moyes have resurfaced.

Julen Lopetegui is already starting to come under serious pressure after his start at West Ham United

The Spaniard has been hesitant to be over-reliant on his new signings, with only Guido Rodriguez and Max Kilman starting every game, but Hammers fans are already crying out for significant changes.

Facing a newly-promoted Ipswich side still waiting for their first win of the season, Lopetegui must roll the dice in his team selection and set his side up to claim nothing less than three points on 5 October.

If the Irons are held to a draw or suffer defeat at the London Stadium, the writing could be on the wall for Lopetegui as the Hammers hierarchy look for someone to make the most of their significant investment.

In other West Ham news, one Irons star said he was “ashamed” after what happened early on in the draw at Brentford on Saturday.

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