West Ham vs Newcastle United Preview: Pressure Mounts on Nuno
Having won just one Premier League game all season – ironically against Nottingham Forest, when Nuno Espírito Santo was still their manager – West Ham are in desperate need of a result. Unfortunately for the Hammers, the visitors this weekend are a Newcastle United side arriving in East London with a bit of swagger after cruising past Spurs in midweek in the EFL Cup.
Nuno’s four games at West Ham has been turbulent so far. Tactical tinkering and questionable line-ups have left fans scratching their heads, particularly after limp defeats to Brentford and Leeds. However a more conventional line-up has seen the inclusion of Freddie Potts from the start against Howe’s Toon, with no more inverted full-backs.
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The Hammers manger didn’t seem too upset with his tinkering as he justified the changes to the press ahead of the game: “I would like to have found a solution earlier and stick to it, but I think it’s our obligation to try and find the solutions because the team is not producing.” It does seem that Nuno has seen sense this time though with square pegs in square holes.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo Takes training
Nuno needs to stop the tinkering
Injury Woes Mount for Nuno
West Ham’s injury list is starting to look like a bit of an issue at striker and centre back. Konstantinos Mavropanos remains side-lined after picking up an injury against Brentford, while young full-back Ollie Scarles is out for 6-8 weeks term following surgery on his collarbone.
Germany striker Niclas Füllkrug is still not ready for action despite returning to light training, so Nuno has chosen Callum Wilson up front with Summerville and Bowen flanking.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have their own issues. Sven Botman is expected to return, but Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, and Yoane Wissa all remain doubts. That said, Eddie Howe’s side look well-drilled and confident despite their injury setbacks.
Smiling Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe will field a strong team against West Ham
Where It’s Going Wrong
The biggest question for West Ham is the midfield. Andy Irving and Tomas Souček looked lost last time out, and it’s good to see Potts and Fernandes in the middle this time. The defence also looks shaky in the air – not ideal when facing Newcastle’s giant striker Nick Woltemade, who could bully our centre-backs all afternoon.
Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman will need to be switched on from the first whistle, while Wan-Bissaka and Malicj Diouf could have their hands full against Newcastle’s width.
West Ham Starting XI
Position Player
GK Alphonse Areola
RB Aaron Wan-Bissaka
CB Todibo
CB Max Kilman
LB Malick Diouf
CM Freddie Potts
CM Mateus Fernandes
AM Lucas Paquetá
RW Jarrod Bowen (C)
LW Crysencio Summerville
CF Callum Marshall
Final Thoughts
Nuno Espírito Santo’s pre-match interview will no doubt feature plenty of talk about “building momentum” and “belief,” but the time for words has passed. West Ham need a performance. The fans are restless, the atmosphere at the London Stadium is tense, and with a planned protest after the game, patience is wearing thin.
Unfortunately, looking at the form, injuries, and general mood around the camp…
Score Prediction: West Ham 0–3 Newcastle United
If Nuno doesn’t get this one right, the next week will not be pretty.