West Ham are undoubtedly heading into a huge fixture this weekend with pressure mounting on Julen Lopetegui.

The opening 6 months of the Spaniards reign have been nothing short of shambolic, with a clear lack of identity, leadership and game plan, which leaves the club so far off the pace that a relegation battle is looking far more likely than a battle to get into the European places.

The home fixture against Everton this Saturday could prove decisive for Lopetegui, with the message from the very top stating that this game is a ‘must win’.

The fixture hasn’t been helped by the absence of Edson Alvarez, with the Mexican international serving another ban following his red card in the latest debacle against Nottingham Forest.

Lopetegui needs to find answers and fast, with many now pointing towards the crop of talent we have within our Academy, especially midfielder Lewis Orford.

Orford, who is England U19 captain and who also signed a new long-term deal with the club in the summer, is regarded as a future star within the game, who has continuously risen to each challenge throughout his career to date.

Although he’s yet to make his senior bow at the club he and his family love dear, there has to be a case that now is be the right time to give him that opportunity to showcase his qualities at the top level.

Orford has been a shining light within our Academy of Football for a number of years now, progressing though the ranks with his vision and distribution qualities growing from strength to strength, with a clear determination to grow into a senior player at the club.

Lopetegui needs to not only get results together and fast to save his job, but also show the fans he understands the ethos and fundamentals of what this club means to the fanbase in east London.

The introduction of Orford would of course be seen as a gamble, but also one that shows a Head Coach who has faith in the qualitues at his disposal, whilst willing to take on that element of risk which fans would undoubtedly back him to do so.

Football fans love nothing more than seeing ‘one of their own’ making the step up, and with his relationship with the fanbase on thin ice, it could well be a wise move to ease than clear strain and concern.

Amidst a crisis comes opportunity, and this feels like one for not only Orford, but Lopetegui too.