The advantage of the international break for Nuno Espírito Santo is that it gives him breathing space at just the right time. After two hectic weeks with virtually no chance to get to know his players, a point from a hard-fought Everton draw was ‘better than nothing’ but hardly an electrifying start to the Portuguese head coach’s reign.
With several Internationals away, Espírito Santo has used the fortnight to consider new systems – including the return to one made infamous by his predecessor.
According to well connected Hammers journalist Roshane Thomas writing today in nytimes.com/athletic, Nuno has been experimenting with the three at the back system which Potter adhered to for most of his tenure:
West Ham’s coach “experimented with a back three in a defeat against Championship side Ipswich Town on Thursday. He is contemplating using the wing-back system in forthcoming games against Brentford (H), Leeds United (A) and Newcastle United (H).”
Espírito Santo plays practise game with wing-back system
Which would inevitably lead to a debut start for on-loan Igor Jesus, as “The 27-year-old Julio, who is ahead of Todibo in the pecking order, played as a left-sided centre-back in the three-man defence against Ipswich.”
The idea of returning to the shaky set-up will be worrisome to fans – more so probably because Potter used wing backs without a striker in what ended top in a nine behind the ball defensive line of nine at times. If the new coaches’ strategy is to use the wing back variation to hit clubs on the break – all well and good: Time will tell as to whether the players are sufficiently adaptable to play the system with better effect:
Another seven days an the answer will be clear as Brentford come to London Stadium next Monday night. And the Hammers need a win, wing backs or not.
Bring on the young players, get rid of the has beens and anyone who doesn’t give 100%
It’s not the formation that’s the problem – other teams play it successfully – it is having the right players to implement it and making sure the players know their jobs individually and collectively. They also need to be strong and quick which appears to be Nuno’s preference for the type of player he wants to work with. I’m more than happy with Nuno as our manager
3 at the back was something that probably got Potter sacked.
To his credit he eventually saw it did not work but pre season and worse of all Sunderland away, Chelsea at home was his downfall. It did not work because the opposition had an extra man in midfield and loved the space it gave. Yes JWP and Soucek were a bit slow but im still a fan of Soucek as he is great in both boxes with his head and bravery.
We don’t have the speed in midfield to break on teams so please not 3 or 5 as I call it at the back as we retreat.
Sounds like losing to Ipswich playing this way has been a good thing.
Igor being in front of Todibo is a joke. I feared Nuno might do something like this. I said at time not my choice as Manager, but was best of those likely to be interested in the job which doesn’t say much! Why would any capable manager think about playing a system that got Potter the sack?
He could play the 4 central defenders we have and we would still be horrendous at the back.
Need to get on the front foot and attack up the field keeping our liability defenders as far away from the goal as possible…
No harm in experimentation. A friendly with a third of the side missing does not mean the blue print for the future is set.
Time will tell but I would expect Nuno to pick and set up any of his teams to cause maximum problems for the opposition of the day. Should adjustments be needed after kick off then those adjustments will happen. Nuno does not seem to be the type of manager who needs to wait before making his opinions and decisions known.
genuinely fear for us if we go to a 3 back it plays purely to our weaknesses and important players would be dropped to make room to even consider this formation that clearly doesn’t work
We need to trust this guy. Nothing wrong with him looking at options but it is then a big leap to suggest that he is considering changing formations. We need to be on the front foot in the games coming up and Diouf and AWB have shown they are more than capable of attacking from a back 4. Feeling moderately optimistic that we will start picking up some points.