The search for answers to the peculiar team selections of [Nuno Espírito Santo](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nuno-espirito-santo-we-change-immediately/) goes on. After starting with a pretty robust, healthy squad selection and good away point against Everton in his first game, Nuno appears to have gone off-piste with selections since which appear baffling to fans.
The ‘inverted’ full backs seems to ask a lot of defenders – with very little benefit – and was responsible for Leeds’ first goal as Ollie Scarles fluffed his lines. Would Wan Bissaka have made a better fist of a challenge? _“Probably”._
The midfield selection – Soucek and Irving – also continues to perplex, whilst Fernandes and Magassa sit on the bench. Fernandes’ debut Hammers goal was the perfect response to being sat watching, whilst Soungoutou Magassa provided a big clue as to his readiness for regular first team football, speaking after his Everton debut:
_“I was proud to make my first start, and I think I can still improve. **It’s been a long time since I played for such a long time, and I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare…**_
Magassa didn’t arrive at West Ham with full match fitness
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_I wanted to play a big game, even if I didn’t have a lot of rhythm because **I haven’t had the chance to play a lot this summer. I think I played a good game, but I can still do much better.**_
_“It’s not the same \[as Ligue 1\]. There’s more intensity, and there’s more space, but it’s definitely a lot different, as sometimes you think you have the time, but you don’t. Your opponents are really good, whether that’s as individuals or as a collective. It’s a competition that has given me a taste for more…It’s the best league in the world, with the best players and the best teams.”_
The absence of Mateus Fernandes, however, seems absurd in the extreme. Hopefully having scored his first goal as a Hammer he’ll cement a starting place.
70 minutes of Magassa and Fernandes – even if one is not fully up to speed – has to be better than the lethargy of Soucek and Irving. Magassa actually put in more tackles against Leeds than any other West Ham player – **_in just fifteen minutes._** _Get him in the starting eleven, Nuno, pronto._