West Ham Opinion: Why Wilson Should Stay on the Bench

Pressure grows for Wilson’s West Ham return after Everton winner

Understandably, there is pressure on West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo to restore Callum Wilson to the starting line-up against Brentford on Saturday.

The veteran striker came off the bench to score the injury-time winner against Everton, securing three priceless points and prompting plenty of calls for him to start against the Bees.

Add in the fact that £20 million January signing Pablo is still waiting for his first West Ham goal, and on the surface it looks an obvious change.

Why Pablo still helps West Ham

But I don’t really subscribe to that view.

Make no mistake, I’m still far from convinced by Pablo as the finished article and I continue to think West Ham overpaid in January.

There are technical flaws there to be ironed out.

However, I can’t ignore what I’m seeing with my own eyes—we look a better team when he plays.

A lot of that comes down to his energy, pressing from the front and relentless work rate. Alongside Taty Castellanos, he has helped transform the way West Ham defend from the front and stop opposition defenders settling into the game.

Wilson better used as a weapon later on

So while Pablo’s contribution may not show up in the goals and assists column, he has had a big influence on how the side functions.

And for all of Wilson’s qualities, I still think he is better used from the bench.

Alongside Tomáš Souček and Jarrod Bowen, he remains one of West Ham’s few genuine match-winners.

But starting him would change the shape and style of the side that has dragged itself back from a seven-point deficit to a position where victory this weekend could move us five points clear of Spurs and the relegation zone.

Nuno likely to stick with what is working

For that reason, I can completely understand why Nuno may go with Pablo again.

Personally, I might try something different for this one—but one thing I’m fairly sure of is that it wouldn’t involve Wilson starting.

That said, I fully expect to see him off the bench.

And I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he made the difference all over again.