Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has singled out West Ham left-back Emerson Palmieri for the part he played in the Hammers conceding during the opening minutes of the match against Brentford at the weekend.

The former Chelsea player did not close down the original cross before Bryan Mbeumo scored the Bees’ opener and Carragher says the defender was simply not alert enough:

“This is just about being alive and pace and energy. West Ham don’t look alive, especially the left-back there Emerson. He’s been done on the first run initially, [Kristoffer] Ajer puts the ball in and look at Emerson, he’s got to be closer, and he’s got to be aggressive.“

“Again, they win the second ball and look how alive [Fabio] Carvalho is and listen you still need the great finish.”

Lopetegui clearly agreed with Carragher

The fact that Emerson was replaced (along with Mohammed Kudus) at half-time suggests that head coach Julen Lopetegui wasn’t particularly happy with Emerson’s performance either.

While the 30-year-old can be excellent as an attacking fullback on his day, he can be prone to lapses defensively. He certainly didn’t cover himself in glory on Saturday.

Will West Ham change their lineup to face Ipswich Town?

After Emerson’s disappointing display last time out, the Italian could have no complaints if he is omitted from Lopetegui’s starting eleven this weekend.

However, the alternatives aren’t particularly appealing. Aaron Cresswell isn’t really a long-term solution and you would be limiting yourself in attack if you decide to use Aaron Wan-Bissaka at left-back instead.

Lopetegui will be determined to win his first league game at home against Ipswich, and he will probably have the best chance of doing that with Emerson in the team. The fullback just needs to be more switched on defensively than he was against Brentford.

Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here