The midfield combination of Arne Engels and Tomas Soucek failed to provide the solidity or creativity West Ham needed yesterday, as the Hammers salvaged a point against a Queens Park Rangers side who came with modest ambition but with a solid plan which they stuck to admirably.
I’m sure in hindsight Nuno regrets starting Soucek, who’d had a three month layoff and could have done with an easy 15 minutes towards the end of the London derby- rather than being dropped back in the deep end with a starting spot.
Especially considering that the tried and tested duo of Mukasa and Engels seemed to have worked well in earlier games, it seemed an odd call indeed by West Ham’s boss.
In any case, Tornado Tom will quite possibly have to wait a while for his next outing: Nuno’s 6’5” “secret weapon” is back after suspension and ready to carry all before him.
Nuno’s secret weapon can impact West Ham’s tepid post international break re-start on Wednesday
Mohamadou Kanté’s one game suspension will have been served and the swashbuckling youngster will be raring to go against Lincoln City on Wednesday night.
Just what the doctor ordered after last night’s lacklustre attacking performance, a little bit of Kanté from the bench could be just what West Ham need to re-establish their goal threat in the second half.
The 21 year old Frenchman already has three goals and an assist to his name this season and offers a fresh, attacking dynamism that would surely have lit up London Stadium had Nuno been able to call upon him yesterday.
No time in this league to dwell on failures or shortcomings: Get over the QPR game, there’s another one on the horizon!
Nuno needs to get out of his comfort zone ( which is not working ) Instead set up 4-2-4 and give the players freedom to go on the offensive