The search for answers to the peculiar team selections of Nuno Espírito Santo goes on. After starting with a pretty robust, healthy squad selection and good away point against Everton in his first game, Nuno appears to have gone off-piste with selections since which appear baffling to fans.
The ‘inverted’ full backs seems to ask a lot of defenders – with very little benefit – and was responsible for Leeds’ first goal as Ollie Scarles fluffed his lines. Would Wan Bissaka have made a better fist of a challenge? “Probably”.
The midfield selection – Soucek and Irving – also continues to perplex, whilst Fernandes and Magassa sit on the bench. Fernandes’ debut Hammers goal was the perfect response to being sat watching, whilst Soungoutou Magassa provided a big clue as to his readiness for regular first team football, speaking after his Everton debut:
“I was proud to make my first start, and I think I can still improve. It’s been a long time since I played for such a long time, and I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare…
Magassa didn’t arrive at West Ham with full match fitness
I wanted to play a big game, even if I didn’t have a lot of rhythm because I haven’t had the chance to play a lot this summer. I think I played a good game, but I can still do much better.
“It’s not the same [as Ligue 1]. There’s more intensity, and there’s more space, but it’s definitely a lot different, as sometimes you think you have the time, but you don’t. Your opponents are really good, whether that’s as individuals or as a collective. It’s a competition that has given me a taste for more…It’s the best league in the world, with the best players and the best teams.”
The absence of Mateus Fernandes, however, seems absurd in the extreme. Hopefully having scored his first goal as a Hammer he’ll cement a starting place.
70 minutes of Magassa and Fernandes – even if one is not fully up to speed – has to be better than the lethargy of Soucek and Irving. Magassa actually put in more tackles against Leeds than any other West Ham player – in just fifteen minutes. Get him in the starting eleven, Nuno, pronto.
Best midfield quartet is Paqueta, Potts, Fernandes & Magassa with Soucek and Irving vying with them for starting berths, depending on opposition who shoud be rested, etc.. Now if Irving learns to tackle like Palace’s Adam Wharton it’d be even better – not sure if that is pie in the sky or if at 25 you can still adapt your game that much.
Some will say there is method in his madness when it comes to his selections but others will say there is madness in his methods. You choose.
Lets just hope he has learnt because it is obvious to anybody with even a minimal knowledge of the game that Soucek and Irving are not the answer when you need a vibrant,competitive midfield.
It doesn’t seem to be rocket science does it Martin. Fernandes / Magassa is far more energetic than Soucek / Irving, while Potts always impresses too and is ready.
AWB / Diouff also seems clearly superior to other permutations.
I really do not understand why the successful performance at Everton was not followed up on and I feel that there were points to be taken this week had we stuck with the Everton model.
Magassa is in a new country, didn’t speak English prior to arriving, joined a club that was struggling based on last season , hopefully we find enough to survive this season, with players like him, Fernandes, Kante, Colau, Fearon, Potts, Orford, Earthy if he stays if we can get a good CF some aggressive centre backs and a keeper that can keep like Fabianski but with a bit better distribution skills we will be ok.
I do feel we need a change in the board room with a new head person that has a long term plan and that is committed to get it right am not sure how involved day to day Sullivan is but we can say evidence based he has not taken us to where he promised. We have the deal if the century as far as renting the stadium and yet despite one trophy that hasn’t delivered on CL football and with our support it should have many times over already.
We should make PL history and dispense with Nuno in less than the 39 days Postecoglou had get in a manager that can play with the players we have and continue the transition, defensive football is a losing game now.
And who would you suggest as a manager?
I agree with Terry, and just hope that we can get on with the real stuff of survival in this league. It was reported that the changes were made to let Nuno see his squad members in action so he has just seen the worst that we can provide. I think that as long as he picks a proper team we will scramble through. January who knows what excuse Sully will find to avoid spending.. Fingers crossed and COYH. Michael
I agree that our best midfield is the trio of Potts, Fernandes & Magassa but don’t dish Irving & Soucek, they’re good squad players & will never let you down, they’ll always give 100% so use them as needed.