As an under-pressure Julen Lopetegui addressed the media on Thursday, it was notable that he was at his happiest when discussing plans to spend much of the international break visiting his 94-year-old father. It offered some respite, at long last, from the deluge of questions about his West Ham future.
First, though, a home game against Everton on Saturday, the importance of which cannot be overstated. Anything other than victory will see the scrutiny on Lopetegui's position ramp up again.
