Forest v West Ham preview
If you think West Ham’s summer has been turbulent, Nottingham Forest have run them close off the pitch – if not on it.
The contrast between the two clubs couldn’t be clearer in how their chairmen handled Tottenham’s interest in key players. West Ham appeared to meekly allow star man Mohammed Kudus to join Spurs on the cheap once Daniel Levy applied pressure. By comparison, Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis played a canny game of bluff, not only keeping Morgan Gibbs-White out of Tottenham’s clutches but persuading him to sign a new deal at the City Ground.
Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo has had his battles with Marinakis but handled the sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle well. Meanwhile, Forest have strengthened with smart buys – including stealing Douglas Luiz, a player who would have been perfect to anchor Graham Potter’s midfield. England Under-21 international Elliot Anderson has impressed since joining from Newcastle last season and will be a tough opponent, while Chris Wood remains a real threat up front.
West Ham boss Graham Potter is under pressure
West Ham team news
As for West Ham, Potter is expected to welcome £40m signing Mateus Fernandes straight into the side. Depending on which paper you read, Lucas Paquetá will either be playing his final game in claret and blue or the first of many alongside his fellow Portuguese speaker. The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Aston Villa with the Hammers believed to have rejected a £47m transfer offer. Early this morning, club sources announced they’d rejected the bid from Villa, asking for £60m.
Potter himself has instructed Hammers bosses to keep Paqueta but this is hardly ideal preparation ahead of such a crucial game.
Lucas Paqueta is not certain to play with a transfer to Villa looming
Potter may stick with three central defenders but time is running out as he fights to save his job. Nayef Aguerd has reportedly refused to travel with the team to the game as he seeks to engineer a transfer to Marseille so Max Kilman should take his place. Niclas Füllkrug should return up front, though nothing seems certain anymore.
Let’s be honest, even if West Ham were playing well this would be a tough game. For that reason, I’m predicting a home win.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 West Ham
Predicted XI:
GK: Hermansen
CB: Todibo, Mavropanos, Kilman
RWB: Wan-Bissaka
LWB: Diouf
CDM: Potts
CMs: Fernandes, Ward-Prowse
CAM: Paquetá
CF: Bowen
Matthew Reid agreed, he’s not going to drop Soucek after scoring. He’s definitely not dropping JWP especially if Fernandes starts he’ll say that this is the player to bring out the best in JWP.
Mavro has to start but Potter will think Kilman will control Wood.
Bowen after getting in the England team will be aching to play on the right as a good performance will get him playing for England there.
I’ve given up being optimistic about the line up.
I think he’ll go.
Hemansen.AWB.Kilman,Aguerd.KWP,Fernandes,JWP,Soucek,Paqueta,Diuof,Bowen.
he might even put KWP out wide left and bring in Todibo pushing AWB as a wing back.
I want to see.
Hermansen.AWB,Mavro,Aguerd.KWP,Potts,Hermansen,Diuof,Bowen,Paqueta,Fulkrug.
Potts and Fernandes starting in midfield … a wish list not a prediction. The same old boys will be rolled out, Thomas and/or Rodders while the potential engine room quality will warm the bench.
We now have three viable centre forwards, but as you say Bowen will probably start up front and run himself ragged with little reward.
Shame as we could pick quite a stella 11 with youth and potential. Three at the back just limits our options as it clips Bowens wings as well as the young bazillian and the the young Dutchman (as and when they’re ready to start). No room for them as wide midfielders don’t exist in this system until we are chasing the game and revert to a four.
Bowen CF…I hope not. He needs to be on the right wing.
Ward-Prowse…I hope not at all!
God help us all. lol
No hands in goal,
Just Walking Pace in midfield,
No one who can head the ball in defence,
Let’s hope Bowen and Paqueta have a good game.
I get that it’s expected, but if JWP starts, we might as well just not show up and let them have a 3-0 win.
The Academy lads must be losing confidence every time Potter overlooks them for the senior citizens. How Fernandes is expected to cover the gaping hole in the middle without help, I just can’t understand. Why was the Magassa deal not sorted before midday?
When will we use our wingers as wingers?
If we think a young striker who is successful in the Danish league might be worth £20m, why not send some of our academy boys there on loan instead of to league 1?
I love your optimism Gonzo, but I’ll be surprised (pleasantly) if Potts starts!