Nuno Espírito Santo’s first game as West Ham’s new head coach kicks off at 8pm tonight and whether by choice or forced upon him, the Hammers’ boss will be fielding a different line up from Potter’s much maligned starting XI.
Claret and Hugh understands James Ward Prowse has not travelled to Merseyside for West Ham’s game against Everton.
‘Undroppable’ no longer or just injured? James Ward-Prowse
It is unknown whether it is injury or illness related or a selection decision under the new manager Nuno Espírito Santo who takes charge of the Hammers for his first game after just the briefest glimpse of his squad in training at the weekend.
Ward Prowse seemed undroppable under Graham Potter despite a drop in form, but the former manager stuck by the 30-year-old midfielder despite supporter criticism.
Ward Prowse had a very unsuccessful loan spell under Nuno’s leadership at Nottingham Forest.
The former Southampton midfielder joined Nottingham Forest in August 2024, but by January 2025, the deal had been terminated, and Ward-Prowse had been sent back to West Ham with his tail between his legs.
There is probably no love lost between the pair so there will be a few eyebrows raised with his omission from the West Ham’s match day squad if rumors prove to be true.
I don’t like to criticise JWP because I think he always gives his best, has a good temperament, and cares. Unlike some. This might be why Potter always picked him.
But he’s never been pacey, nor is he physically imposing. And these are two qualities we’ve been desperately lacking in midfield.
Eyebrows raised by who exactly. 60,000 of us can see the lad has nothing left in his legs. Is not exactly a ‘midfield tiger’ and has never once delivered a free kick was so famous for. We’d all drop him. You headline should read… No great shock as JWP gets the chop!
Hardly a surprise as Nuno didn’t like what he saw at Forest.
A light weight that needs getting rid of
Do we need another CDM we have Fernandes, Magassa, Potts, Kante, Alvarez on loan. Would rather he buys Milenkovic who we should have signed 3 years ago before Sullivan stopped it.
Seems strange, he is a popular member of the squad so quite a bold move if not illness related.
At least we know there will be a new look midfield tonight COYI!!!
Wouldn’t the obvious midfield and forward line be: ??
Fernandes Paquetta Magassa (or Soucek, Potts)
Bowen Wilson Crysencio
Good news all round, also for the player. He’s far too slow to play Nunoball. Looking forward to tonight for a change!
JWP should have been dropped ages ago he’s a liability when he plays he has no vision no pace why potter liked him is a mystery we have some talented youngsters coming through that should be given the chance to show what they can do on the pitch they can only be a improvement on some of the players we have in the main team and most importantly they have something to prove which would mean they will give their all for the team. Which is exactly what we need to push our way up the league let’s hope Nuno has the guts to make the hard decisions needed
The only shock is that Potter didnt do it! Hopefully we will see a sensible midfield with some youth getting some minutes from the bench – Potts, Earthy and Fearon. Fingers crossed a youngster starting up top to run the channels and stretch play.
I was a Ward-Prowse fan when he arrived, but sometimes when a player changes team it does not always work and this is the case for him. I am glad Nuno has made this change and hop he has taken so of th youth players in the squad as well. I know he will not want to change too much to start, he needs to see what he has.
Blimey, could it be that we will be picking a proper defensive midfielder at last. Can’t expect miracles as we still have the same centre back options, but I would certainly hope for a more dynamic performance.
If it is 4-2-3-1 as John Ayris says then I’ll plump for:
In goal – dunno.
AWB/KWP, Dinos/Todibo(?), Igor, Diouf
Fernandes (sub: Irving/Earthy), Potts (sub: Soucek/Irving/Magassa), Paqueta (sub: Earthy/Irving)
Summerville, Fulkrug or Wilson, Bowen (tactical switch to Callum & Guilherme as winger later in the game to scare the living daylights out of Everton with high energetic press).
If Espirito chooses a tall midfielder to start for set piece purposes, such as Soucek/Magassa, bring Potts on later as too good to be on the sideline for 90 mins.
I’m not taking bets on this though! This is going to be embarrassing, I just know it.😶
Forgot Scarles to sub for Diouf, who’ll leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. Not trying to shoehorn the U21s in, but they have already reached high standards out on loan (Scarles in the 1st team), so they need minutes and to be tested at this level in order to hold their own and compete for a starting spot, or 1st/2nd sub., i.e. trusted players. (Same for Guilherme).
Come January some important decisions can then be taken on whether they need to go out on loan, or specific training in addition to 1st team training (50-50). Paqueta could coach Earthy, … there are lots of possibilities & permutations including playing in France/Italy/Germany to acquire fresh skills, new outlook and then return.
Damn, I have work to do!
COYI.
“Rumours”
Blimey, we might actually get a result now
This is great news. He just isn’t good enough anymore and his free kicks are so predictable that opponents must laugh when he steps up? Hopefully we can get rid of him permanently in January. One of the most overrated rubbish we’ve ever had? Well done Nuno, we need more of this no nonsense attitude. The players get paid ridiculous amounts of money and need to start earning it. Starting tonight! 3-1 to us⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
I expect the only person who is not happy that he is not travelling is Moyes, who was probably expecting a near certain
3 points with Potter in charge.
“West Ham selection shock” Ha ha, very funny! Try “Bleedin’ obvious selection omission”.
A Positive start. Go Nuno!
Either already dropped or automatically dropped either of which suits me as he would not have been in my starting eleven whatever the case.
I don’t think I’m going to propose a starting eleven as I don’t know Nuno’s intentions, I suspect 4-2-3-1. I do note that Callum Marshall didn’t play in the midweek U21s game though….
Marshall not playing gives me hope of time for the seniors. About time and certainly a good way for Nuno to get the fans on side. If je scores/assists then Nuno will look like a genius.
He has to be our striker with the greatest pace so the best natural fit for Nuno’s MO. He didn’t play in midweek for some reason.
Just need Sully to stop being loyal to Brady now and giver her a long overdue P45!
Not travelled because he is not good enough simple as that.