After watching the centre back pairing of Jean Clair Todibo and Maximilian Kilman fail to step up to the demands of dealing with Brentford’s long-ball tactics, West Ham’s head coach will be scratching around looking for options. Right now it is about character as much as skill. In what is likely to be a contest of two relegation-threatened sides come May, Leeds against West Ham might not set the neutrals’ pulses racing but for Claret and Blue clad fans – those who have not succumbed to apathy or frustration – it is a crucial clash.
The cupboard is bare for Hammers’ centre back options. Having sold Nayef Aguerd, the Hammers have only three contracted players, one of whom is out injured – plus the failed duo from Monday. Time to introduce the on-loan Igor Julio who comes with a heap of points to prove as he seeks to re-establish himself. If he lives upto the claims he made upon his arrival at London Stadium, ‘Igor” fits the bill:
_“As a player, I’m the type who always wants to learn and always wants to improve. I believe I’m a player with a lot of quality on the ball and also very aggressive without the ball.” ([whufc.com)](https://www.whufc.com/news/igor-julio-first-interview) Which is just the ticket tonight in a hostile Elland Road cauldron._
Igor Julio might well have the perfect attitude for crisis-ridden West Ham
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His own manager at Brighton described his performance – according to _Hammers.news_ – and claiming his is an attitude that would appear perfect for Nuno’s crisis-ridden West Ham team:
_“He was not hiding to get the ball. He was not hiding to go in duels, and then he played a great second half …I wasn’t surprised by this because I see him every training session and he is an amazing professional.”_
Which is not a term one could use to describe Kilman or Todibo on current showing. Nuno has to make a change: Which one of the duo will make way is moot but a new pairing is essential to try and ‘stop the rot’.