Full of surprises, is Nuno Espírito Santo. Just when you\\’d think the visit to the Etihad will head nailed on five at the back starting eleven he goes and mixes it up again.
West Ham’s ‘defensive minded’ coach has not gone full-on park the bus against Manchester City, against many of the predictions that the Hammers would start with a Potter-esque 5-3-2 formation. His squad includes a sole attacker in Callum Wilson, of course, now that we hear Niclas Fullkrug is 99% out of the door en route to a new sick bed in Italy.
Nuno’s starting XI has been published and it looks like a four-at-the-back line up with the best midfield trio of Potts, Magassa and Fernandes starting – with Paqueta presumably playing in a number ten role between Bowen and Summerville.
The full team is:
West Ham United
**Areola | Walker Peters, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles, | Magassa, Potts, Fernandes,| Summerville, Paquetá, Bowen (c)**
We’ll be back with _‘Gonzo’s player ratings_‘ and my ‘_Nuno ratings_‘ straight after the final whistle and a match report later: Your comments will be posted live after 5pm so you can vent or celebrate.