There was nothing but bad news for West Ham following Monday night’s defeat to Brentford at the London Stadium.
The last few days have been filled with pundits, commentators and former players all picking over the bones of the Hammers team — but one point has remained consistent: we’re slow. Painfully slow.
And if Leeds United boss Daniel Farke was in any doubt about where to target Nuno’s West Ham side, he surely won’t be now.
It’s therefore little surprise to hear that speedsters Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto are being fast-tracked in an effort to play at Elland Road tomorrow. Former Manchester United winger James is said to be closer to fitness than Gnonto, who has frightening pace and will face a late test.
Gnonto and James could cause West Ham big problems
Undoubtedly, West Ham gaffer Nuno Espírito Santo will have to change his team from the car-crash selection we saw against the Bees on Monday. Nobody in this Hammers squad is particularly rapid, but former Leeds man Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Malick Diouf are probably our quickest players — and all need to be in the starting line-up.
How West Ham have reached the stage where we’re so unevenly matched as athletes is a subject for another day. But Leeds are well aware of that weakness — and look fully set to exploit it.
We all wait with bated breath to see Nuno’s team selection for this one. Will he return to common sense or will he fold like a wet newspaper and continue down the Loppy/Potter path to the exit door. His first task is to get the best out of what he has got and that means restoring some level of self-confidence in the players. That is his job and anything else is just gossip. It is time for him to show what he can do or confirm that we still need a coach.
In addition to those already mentioned in the comments, Potts can also come at some stage, to bring fresh legs and in my opinion, steadiness/composure to the midfield. A good sub for either Magassa or Fernandes depending on how its going & individual performances.
No mention of Guilherme who also has pace.
Needs more game time to prove himself.
Did well pre season.
We wouldn’t be slow if we went with AWB, Bowen,Diouf,Summerville, Fernandes and magassa as a block