The Tractor Boys have been no pushovers so far on their return to the big time – as their 2-2 draw with Villa proved last week.
Lopetegui is under mounting pressure to get performances and results at West Ham.
The Spaniard has overseen just one Prem win so far.
That will have to change when Ipswich come to the London Stadium if he is to avoid two weeks of intense speculation over his future during the international break.
There have been some glimpses – nothing more – that the penny might be edging closer to dropping for West Ham.
But Lopetegui is having to take some extreme action to get his message across.
