Newcastle United have received a huge amount of praise from West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of Sunday’s game.
Eddie Howe’s side are off to East London to face the Hammers, as they aim to pick up their first away win in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle are the favourites to beat West Ham, who start the weekend in 19th place. It has been a dismal start to the season, and now they are set to face a Toon side that have really begun to build up momentum in recent weeks.
Nuno Espirito Santo is well aware of the quality that his team are coming up against, particularly in the middle of the park.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo gestures from the touchline.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United told their midfield is ‘one of the best’ in the Premier League
Ahead of West Ham vs Newcastle United, Nuno has been speaking to the media.
The Hammers boss was asked about the midfield battle between Brazilian buddies Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta, but took the chance to praise the entire Newcastle United midfield.
“Not only the individual midfield battles, it’s going to be all over the ground,” he said.
“Individual battles, individual duels. When you control it [the midfield], your team plays better. But we’re going to face one of the best midfields in the Premier League. It will be good.
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“But it’s not only Bruno and Lucas. I think during the game they won’t be friends.”
Room for improvement despite Nuno Espirito Santo’s Newcastle United praise
The trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton have won a lot of praise over the last 12 months. Newcastle’s midfield is arguably the best in the Premier League, but it has perhaps not been at its absolute best this season.
Tonali defies belief with his performances, while Bruno leads by example. As for Joelinton, he has struggled for consistency. The 29-year-old is capable of so much more, particularly in possession.
The £40million player needs to protect the ball much better, often giving it away sloppily because of a slack touch or a lapse in concentration.
He needs to raise his game, at a time when Jacob Ramsey wants to be a regular starter. There is also pressure from Lewis Miley and Joe Willock, who will be keen to get more minutes as well.
Newcastle United are incredibly well stocked in midfield, which is why Nuno is right in calling it one of the best in the Premier League. However, it is capable of more.