Lucas Paquetá’s sending off against Liverpool created a massive groundswell of anger, upset and disappointment from thousands of hammers fans who felt aggrieved that the solemnity of the occasion – the day club legend Billy Bonds passed away – was degraded by the Brazilian’s dissent and subsequent dismissal.
Paquetá’s one gam ban for the red card was not upgraded – so he’s free to play against Brighton on Sunday. Nuno Espírito Santo has confirmed he’ll be going straight back into the starting eleven and I just wonder whether the Portugese head coach has made the wrong call.
Of course, Espírito Santo wants to put out the team most likely of grabbing Premier League points. But when you look at the performances of midfield trio Potts, Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa – is it right that any of them should make way for the unpredictable Paqueta’ who is more likely to receive booking than provide an assist.
What kind of message does that send to the trio who gave their all at Old Trafford.
And from just about every reader comment, it is clear that there’s a sense of anger amongst Claret and Hugh readers who seem to have grow tired of Paquetá’s diving antics, losing possession and failing to deliver that killer pass. If Nuno re-instates Paqueta to the midfield – then he’s made a bad call and one which can only feel like a slap in the face to whoever gives way.
However, if the Brazilian plays ahead of the trio, or wide in place of Summerville – there’s perhaps a case for his inclusion. Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa did a superb job against Manchester United and , for what my opinion is worth, none of them should be forced to make way.
It’d be a sharp reminder to Paquetá that he’s not irreplaceable to allow him to cool his heels for a spell on the bench and hopefully remember his role in the team.
It was certainly a refreshing ‘watch’ last night to see every Hammers player staying on their feet rather than rolling around at the merest hint of contact. Can we have some more, please Nuno?
I’d probably start the same 3 and bring Paqueta on as a sub. Or a 4-4-2 (we only have 2 forwards anyhow) and play all 4 with Kante, Soucek & Earthy ready to come on. Then Magassa, Fernandes and Paqueta would be directed to run into the box as Magassa did (and Soucek always does) and make it a 3/4 overload up front. Potts too maybe – he’s dying to score! For the moment WHU strong in the midfield.
Pat mentioned in an earlier post how WHU played as a team without P. That’s definitely true. The youngsters keep the ball moving and play each other in. Mistake by NES (if I may) is that P needs to adapt and keep the ball moving and play in the other midfielders – play as in a team basically. He’s in a rut doing the same stop, beat 2 defenders (or not) for 90 mins in every game. Too simple to close him down – way too obvious a setup.
Under Lopetegui & Potter you could say he was the go-to midfielder, but that is no longer true. They all can hit passes and create, just not as used to the PL as him.
Obviously, hope P stops rolling along the ground like the double-gloucester round cheese they use in that hill race.
Paqueta let himself down against Liverpool which I am sure he knows. But so did our captain, senior players and coaching staff who failed to manage the situation.
Saying he disrespected Bonzo is nonsense. I adored Bonzo and saw most of his games but I can recall many games where he lost the plot.
Tomorrow we will need the whole squad pulling together with the game coming so soon after the last one. If the 3 midfield lads don’t all start they have all shown how important they are going to be going forward
As there is still a question mark on Summerville fitness seems unlikely, if he plays, to do 90 minutes.
Put Pac-man on bench and relieve Summerville after 45 minutes.
Play what looks to be established 3 in mid field.
Maybe bring on Soucek late in second half_last 20 minutes.
Would be nice to see Kante have another run out.
Put Earthy/Marshall/Guilherme on bench not Fullkrug/Hermmansen/Rodriguez.
I know Earthy, Marshall and Guilherme are untested in the PL, but that is a pretty exciting bench.
I don’t think they practice enough, where the team is setup with these lads on the pitch, but still bring them on anyhow as you suggest.
Good article and good Questions, which perhaps only football understanding people will grasp.
As a former player and coach I can emphatically say that selfish Paqueta is a total waste of money and player space in a 11x man team. Many times watching him, I cringe to think that when a ball is passed to him, he will lose it, fall over or fight with the ref thereafter.
Its crazy how trained and expensive coaches differ with reality on many issues. Especially on this one?
In the old days if a team clicks, then you keep it as a good foundation for the next match(s).
So that’s my answer then. Thank you.
I like most fans would have put him on the bench but we don’t know how he was in apology to the team and Nuno.
He let everyone down, if he is selected let’s hope he produces one of his best performances if he does he will be the best player on the pitch because he has more quality than anyone in the Brighton squad and ours, it’s a shame we only see it 1 game in 10 there are no excuses we need to deliver between now and the end of the season apart from Wolves, Arsenal, Chelsea and City most teams in the league if they went on a bad run could still be in a relegation battle though ourselves, Burnley and Leeds look the most likely if we don’t get a few results between now and the end of January.
We played better without that sulky unpredictable waste of space ,that’s my opinion, we need people who will die for the club , not orchestrate their own departure.
I’m with you on this one, D.f.butcher. Wholeheartedly agree.
The issue here isn’t that he comes back in place of Soucek, it’s what if Summerville is fit as it’s been said he might be. It was said more likely the game after but possibly fit for Brighton.
What then ? I’d be using Summerville in his natural position and not dropping any of Magassa, Potts or Fernandes.
You got what you expected with this opinion piece. Clicks. Paqueta needs to play, for us, for himself and for the team.
Can’t win, can we. Flag ‘opinion’ pieces so that readers can choose whether they want to read ’em and we’re accused of looking for clicks. If you don’t want, don’t read!
I award you a full, 100% money-back refund.
Pacca will come in for Soucek, and that’s the right call.
Totally agree.
Played better without him
He will play wide left and Souzek will be dropped .
No brainer that !!
Midfield 3 will stay in there and deservedly so ….
For the first time in a few years I really feel we have a midfield !!
He’s no different to Di canio who used to have his tantrums ..too! . Don’t start getting woke on us Martin ….
All mavericks had their moments !
Stanley Bowles , Rodney Marsh , George Best , Paulo Di Canio to name a few …..😉
Paqueta is not on the level of any of those players listed, but he does have the tantrums
Completely out of touch if you think Paqueta should not be replacing Soucek who was poor. Pacqueta remains our most creative midfielder. Lack of recent assists or not.
doesn’t make me ‘completely out of touch’ if I happen to disagree with you. both are valid opinions.
He apologised to his team …Nuno is thinking about the collective…We are in the bottom three ..My concern is divisive stories like this are basically created to stir up hate amongst the fan base…Lets all boo Paqueta on Sunday because that will help him…NOT!!!!.
Would he not come back in place of Thomas ?
If he plas him he will use the excuse that players need a rest but at 22years of age the body recovers quick and if i were to be left out for a petulant Brazilian who thinks he is bigger and better than the club then i would be knocking on Nunos door and ask him what his reasoning is…….One bad pass one more theatrical dive and losing the ball and this will blow up in Nunos face….Paqueta overstepped the line and many many fans now want him gone the way he Spat on the Memory of Bonzo means there is no way back for him IMO..players like this are a cancer in the squad and will harbour discontent among the players.
Not really a wrong call by Nuno. Lucas Paqueta will be keen to make his apologies to us all by playing a tremendous match winning game on Sunday.
He knows he has been silly. He knows the enormity of the game against Liverpool and what the day meant to all of us.
Let’s give him the opportunity to be sorry. Let’s give him a chance before his crucifixion.
Be kind and not vindictive. Billy Bonds would have wanted him to succeed along with every other West Ham player.
COYI
Pretty much on the button Martin. I wouldn’t be leaving out any of Potts, Magassa or Fernandes, they cemented their positions in the next starting eleven so far as I’m concerned. Paqueta waits for a bad performance or knock in my book.