West Ham United travel to north London to try again to improve on Nuno’s terrible win ratio in a desperate search for three points to try and close the gap: Win and Nottingham Forest will likely be just the four points ahead tonight. Lose and the ten point difference will be prove to be insurmountable and the Irons will face the dawn of a last third of the season sentenced already to ‘the drop’.
So Nuno has a simple task. Score more than you let in.
Whether the penny drops and the Portuguese head coach sends his West Ham side out in aggressive frame of mind or whether he simply reverts to type and parks the bus, hoping to nick a goal will be largely evident from the starting eleven named at 13.45 for the 3pm kick off.
The West Ham starting eleven has been published and here it is: with a surprisingly attacking flavour – four forwards!
Areola | Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Scarles | Fernandes, Soucek | Summerville, Pablo, Castellanos, Bowen
Check back at full time for ‘Gonzo’s player ratings’ and my “Nuno: Rated, slated or sacked” articles at 5pm. You’ll also have the chance to post your own opinions pretty much live. Come.On.You.Irons.
Pablo and Castellanos make such a difference from the top 1/3 onwards. They hold the ball and run off each other bringing others into play. Both are technically very good and very, very mobile dragging defenders all over the shop. Summerville & Bowen being both technical, quick and clever can reliably play off of them and exploit space they create. Our attack is fluid and skillful – wonderful! It shows what some good players coming in can do for the team. Well done!!
Glad to see Soucek on, he is playing well and we have backup to sub on once need some legs in midfield (Kante, Potts). I prefer Todibo & Dinos as CBs, but when that ball keeps bouncing around our penalty area like a beach ball, my God, alarm bells are ringing.
Well played lads, another 45+ to go.
COYI!!
livelier than I was expecting to see, pleasantly surprised. I would have started KWP not Scarles but that’s a minor gripe.
1-1 if were lucky…
Surprise omission is Magassa, Paqueta still “injured” I guess, wonder whether Magassa has picked up a knock ? Midfield looks short on legs and when you look at the line ups even injury depleted the bench of Spuds has a few game changers, we only have Wilson or if he finally lets it happen Kante.
No surprise for me other than Soucek for Potts possibly. The 2 new guys work hard closing defenders down which Nino likes to play. Which suggests why Wilson has not started since as he unfortunately can’t do that like he could before his injuries. Still Nino will undoubtedly get the blame if we lose by fans who really sorry to say haven’t got a clue
I hope Magassa isn’t out for long, any news on an injury?
Why Soucek instead of Potts? Soucek is slow, not mobile, definitely can’t tackle, and is not a fast or good passer. Other teams play around Soucek with impunity. Please, please, please play Potts!
If we are to believe what we read and Nuno has truly lost the dressing room, then it doesn’t matter what the team is. Let’s see if the players are up for a fight or not, especially against a team that is in as big a mess as West Ham.
When all else fails, attack, attack, attack.
Another strange team from Nuno – what if Callum Wilson comes off the bench and scores the winner?
Looks like Michael Carrick does have a new manager bounce
COYI
What did I tell you
Callum Wilson !!!!
Just wanted to recognize your prediction!
And mine!
3-0 to West Ham.
If you are playing Soucek he has to start, because he doesn’t do well as a sub. I’m happy with Nuno’s selections, should give us every chance.
So Paqueta has a headache and couldn’t possibly perform. Has naughty Lucas got a ‘please excuse’ note from his missus?