West Ham’s second game inside three days – with yet another tough fixture heading their way after, on Friday of this week – sees the Hammers heading to Bolton Wanderers for an 8.00 pm Tuesday night kick-off with the bruises still healing from Saturday’s victory over Derby County.
The Irons are likely to be without Castellanos and Pablo, leaving Joel Piroe as their only fit front man.
Nuno will have to reshuffle his pack and deploy loanee Divine Mukasa in a forward role as a number 10 to sit behind Piroe, meaning a likley recall on the cards for twenty year old Lewis Orford in midfield, despite the youngster being dropped entirely from Nuno’s squad just a couple of games ago.
Orford, who entered the pitch after 65 minutes against Derby as Taty was withdrawn, was left out of the starting line-up and even found no place on the bench just two games ago against Wolves, must have found that difficult to handle having been given no inkling by his manager as he was left out of the match day squad completely, apparently without explanation.
Orford looks likely to be recalled to Nuno’s starting XI against Bolton Wanderers
This despite a pretty seamless appearance as a 65th minute substitute against Watford just days before.
Such are the whims of West Ham’s head coach. Must be difficult for young players like Orford who come through the academy suddenly to face the no-frills, sometimes brutal approach of their Hammers head coach.
However, through the injuries to other players, Orford should get his chance to start again for the second time this season. More than likley this time alongside summer signing Arne Engels who has started to look the real deal after a combative performance against Derby during which the Belgian put together an impressive mix of defensive tackling and forward movement with the ball which Orford would do well to emulate.
Other than Nuno I don’t think anyone knows why Orford was dropped after being comfortably our best midfielder to date at the time that happened. Emulating Engles, hopefully his latest performance was what was meant because his early outings were poor. The benefit of costing a lot of money I suppose. Perseverance to bed in a costly player versus no time allowed for those that have come through the ranks even if they’ve played very well.
He might decide to play Austbo instead as he does play centrally as well as on the wing .
Martin is it not possible that Orford was carrying a knock which is why he missed Wolves?
Who is your impeccable source who knows whether Nuno speaks to certain players?
I know that he likes to keep his cards close to his chest when discussing injuries with the press – a bit like Moyes
C&H seems to have an agenda to paint Nuno as a monster who mistreats his players
As I said earlier, young player departures have more to do with Nuno’s moods than anything else. We have all seen Orford play, so why isn’t somebody demanding an explanation from Nuno?
With that being said MT, it’d free up a space in the match day squad, if Orford starts.
Options as follows. Alvarez, Maggassa, Cornet, Fearon.
Over to you Nuno!