Another big call for West Ham’s under pressure Nuno Espírito Santo today. The Hammers travel to Turf Moor for the second serving of this weekend’s ‘relegation roulette’ fixtures following the Leeds v Nottingham Forest game last night.
In ‘part one’, Leeds emerged victorious – with a 3-1 win- which as far as I’m concerned was the best outcome for West Ham. (More on that later).
Now West Ham have to do their bit and absolutely have to grab three points today. And their best chance of doing so might well be Nuno pivoting to exploit Callum Wilson’s stunning record against Burnley to the maximum. As highlighted today in twitter account @westhamcentral, West Ham’s veteran forward offers Nuno’s men the best route to goal. The stats don’t lie:
“West Ham striker Callum Wilson has only scored more Premier League goals against his current side (12) than he has against Burnley (8).
Callum Wilson celebrates
Can Nuno afford to ignore Callum Wilson’s goalscoring record against Burnley?
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He’s netted in each of his last four against the Clarets and has seven goals in his last six against them.”
Which presents Nuno with a quandary. The arrival of Taty Castellanos and Pablo has engendered a high energy, pressing from the front playing style which has provided more space and supply to wingers Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.
Whether Nuno will see fit to accommodate his high scoring veteran Hammers’ striker at the expense of one of the newer signings remains to be seen.
Difficult to ignore that Wilson stat – which demands that the 33 year old gets a start. However more than likely Nuno will keep him on the bench until the hour mark when his front two have been tiring – with Wilson the plan B if needed. Which is quite possible, knowing the Hammers’ seeming inability to keep a clean sheet.
And the reason that -as my opinion of course- the Leeds victory was a good result for West Ham? The Hammers play Leeds on the last day of the season and I for one would rather see LUFC safe, with nothing to play for by that date if the Irons need a win to stay up, rather than a massive nail biting battle on the final day with the loser of that Hammers v Leeds game relegated.
West Ham of course need to do their bit and get – at least – a point ahead of ‘Forest by that last day fixture.
Or preferably four. Which starts this afternoon as the Irons can close to within three….