AMIDST the usual manager – speak ahead of the Newcastle United fixture on Sunday, [Nuno Espírito Santo](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nunos-top-transfer-pick-spells-bad-news-for-west-hams-40m-man/) gave a big insight into what he is demanding of his side as the Hammers seek their first home win since February.
The traditional Premier League press conference produced no surprises on the fitness issues surrounding his squad, with the expected trio of players -Niclas Fullkrug, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Ollie Scarles – sidelined and taking no part.
But Nuno was also drawn into highlighting one specific individual’s performance and what he expects, demanding more from West Ham’s midfielder **Lucas Paquetá**.
_‘West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico’_ needs to live up to his nickname
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The Brazilian has finally turned the page on his two -year FA inquiry saga and his head coach made it clear today that he wants Lucas Paquetá to step up:
_“We need Lucas..Being a ‘ten’ is more than a number, in my view: Being a ‘ten’ is a symbol. Being the ‘ten’ and this is what we need from Lucas – the best of him to really help his team mates, because the team-mates trust him a lot and they know that there’s much more for him to give us, the talent that he has”_
Which is a fairly clear statement that the Manager, his team mates and squad have an expectation of Paquetá that he step up and give of his absolute best.
West Ham need him to be back to his very peak now, more than at any stage of his east London career. The playmaker needs to become that symbol – the ‘_number 10′_ – the play maker, the creative heart of the team, with a bit of a strut and a killer pass – a leader rather than a passenger; which he’s been for too much of the last two years.