THE short turn around between fixtures over the festive season produces challenges for managers trying to share the load around their squad: West Ham’s thinly stretched first team has come under more pressure after the board inexplicably sanctioned Niclas Fullkrug’s early departure to Milan.
The German had looked totally disinterested in his last couple of outings, but with just the high mileage legs of Callum Wilson in attack, the Irons do now look shockingly exposed.
And the news out of east London is not encouraging as the Hammers could well be without two first team starters for the trip to Molineux on Saturday.
Jean Clair Todibo was substituted at half time and the club now await the results of his scan. In the same game, Lucas Paquetá limped out with a lower back problem and in view of the limited recovery time could well be missing for the crucial bottom of the table ‘six pointer’ .
Which will reduce West Ham’s attacking options to exactly three. Bowen, Summerville and Wilson, and that’s about it. It may be the start of a New Year but these problems are anything but new.
However: some might argue that Paquetá missing from the starting eleven might even benefit the Hammers but, after his penalty and – at last – an assist for Jarrod Bowen against Brighton, there’s quite the counter argument suggesting the Brazilian did actually put in a shift at last, without most of the theatrics.
However , if the duo are confirmed injured, Nuno may have to return to a 4-3-3- starting line up and hope to get the game won before Callum Wilson’s legs give out.
That will, at least, keep the best midfield trio the Hammers have had in years together: They’ll need to be at their peak to cover for an error prone Max Kilman who won’t have anywhere to hide without the much improved Jean Clair Todibo to cover for some of his howlers. Happy new year, Hammers.
Apparently Callum Marshall is to be loaned out to a european club. He has played for NI and had a successful season’s loan to league 1 and going off to Europe could really bring the finishing touches I feel. Been thinking for a while loans to Europe would be excellent, adding something different to what players have learnt in UK academies.
He has come so far in a short time, this could be a great more for M. as well as for WHU.
Don’t know much about Cummings but Callum Marshall has played in league 1 and for NI and even if he is not the type of forward NES likes (target man) he is effective at closing down defenders, high press and like all other academy players links up well with quick passes. On his way out on loan apparently, but definitely been underused at WHU. NES to date has not tried much in attack, apart from trying to use Summerville as a goal scorer which did not work – hopefully it will in the future though, if work on it.
Don’t know much about Cummings but Callum Marshall has played in league 1 and for NI and even if he is not the type of forward NES likes (target man) he is effective at closing down defenders, high press and like all other academy players links up well with quick passes. On his way out on loan apparently, but definitely been underused at WHU. NES to date has not tried much in attack, apart from trying to use Summerville as a goal scorer which did not work – hopefully it will in the future, if work on it.
It is theoretically possible to bring players in before Wolves, I think they need to be registered 24 hours beforehand so on Friday. Anything already arranged could make that timeline.
What is wrong playing Marshall. Or Cummings
They are our players still
Must give them a place at least on the bench
Unfortunately Sue, these boys are still at Under 21 levels and have no experience of playing other than at that level. The other problem is that our current coaching staff are also at that level.
We need points and can’t afford to be a nursery just yet.
This is not a ‘six pointer’ against Wolves. We only get three points for the win and we need to get above Notts Forest and stay there. Wolves are gone.
All the very best. COYI ⚒️