West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui uses an interesting term to describe Newcastle United

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West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media ahead of the match against Newcastle United next week.

Newcastle will take on West Ham at St. James’ Park in the Premier League next Monday night. Eddie Howe’s side will be heavy favourites.

The Magpies have won their last two league games and are just a point off the final UEFA Champions League spot. Callum Wilson could be back for Newcastle, which will further boost the home side’s chances of a win.

West Ham are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season. The Hammers are only five points above the bottom three and have won two of their last six Premier League games.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui gives verdict on Newcastle

Lopetegui knows the task at hand against Newcastle and has raved about the home team’s squad. The Magpies have scored 13 goals and conceded 11 in the Premier League this season.

While noting how hard the Newcastle fans will make it for his West Ham players, Lopetegui described Howe’s team as “complex”.

Lopetegui said ahead of the match against Newcastle: “It’s going to be a difficult game, in a difficult environment, and we will be playing one of the more complex teams. We have to be ready to be able to compete with them.”

The West Ham manager did not elaborate on what he meant by ‘complex’, but it could refer to the way there are frequent positional changes during a game for Newcastle.

Newcastle tend to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the players pressing high and with intensity. That will be the case against West Ham.

What happened between Newcastle and West Ham at St. James’ Park last season?

Newcastle fans will long remember the Premier League match against West Ham last season. It ended in a 4-3 win for Howe’s side.

Harvey Barnes was the star of the show for Newcastle in March. The winger came off the bench to score two goals for the Magpies.

Newcastle were 3-1 down when Barnes came on as a substitute in the 67th minute. The home team went on to win the match 4-3.

Could it be a similar scoreline this time around? Probably not. After all, West Ham are struggling to score goals.

West Ham have found the back of the net just 13 times in 11 Premier League matches this season. It is hard to see Newcastle concede three goals against the Hammers.