West Ham answered many critics with a bruising, solid away performance at the end of an energy-sapping three games in eight days timetable, typical of the attritional battle that is the Championship marathon in which they are now embedded.
At least there is no midweek game ahead with Nuno’s troops most likely needing every day of the six ahead to recuperate before the visit of promotion rivals Southampton next Saturday.
The Saints, remember, started the season with a four point deduction after their ‘spy gate’ fiasco – and yet now sit just five points behind Nuno’s men after eleven games.
Whilst the first team get down to recovery, there is bad news for West Ham’s long term planning with the reported hamstring injury to loanee and wannabe Aston Villa permanent signing Aaron Wan Bissaka.
Hayters.com break the bad news for Nuno who will be desperate to see the back of his former Hammer of the Year-turned-want-away who is on a loan with obligation- depending on the number of games played at Villa Park:
“Unai Emery has confirmed Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a hamstring injury during Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United…
“It is a hamstring,” the Villa boss said on Wan-Bissaka.
Wan Bissaka’s hamstring injury threatens a permanent move away from West Ham
“He played fantastic when we needed him against Brentford, Fenerbahce and today.
“Different players are being injured and the competitions are tough.”
No public statement has been made on the Wan Bissaka loan conditions – as to the number of games required to trigger his permanent transfer away from West Ham – but Nuno will be hoping Wan Bissaka is never to return after his defender’s remarkable drop in form after a successful first season.
Reported to be at loggerheads with his manager by the end of last term, the feeling is most definitely mutual. Which means, at least, that the player will be doing all he can to recover his fitness and make the move permanent.
Fingers crossed all round.
Him and a few others fell out with Nunl So is it them or Nuno himselfcausing all the tension
Don’t think Nuno will be losing any sleep over this Aaron Wan-Bissaka news.
He has more important and relevant crises to occupy his thoughts.
On the brightside Fulkrug scored another brace yesterday
I actually feel sorry for Wan Bissaka – I dont think he had much choice in remaining behind in the DRC when the president decreed that he should do so
At least Emery has found him useful to play unlike what he did with Harvey Elliot
Given the options we have at right back it might not be as bad though if it’s a hamstring injury it’s usually 5 or 6 weeks out so it may not be too bad depending on it’s severity.