by Staff Writer
Friday, 3rd April 2026
It's the first of two huge meetings against Leeds United this weekend, beginning with Sunday's FA Cup quarter final clash in Stratford.
West Ham host the Whites with a place at Wembley at stake for the winners, in what could potentially be a dress rehearsal for the final game of the season - which could itself be a winner-takes-all affair.
Here's what Nuno Espiritio Santo had to say about the tie during his pre-match press conference, every word of which you may read below...
Q: How's everyone returned from the international break? How's the squad looking?
NES: Assessing, assessing players, international break. Positive that many of our players achieved big things, some of them not so happy, some returned with issues. Assessing.
Q: And how's [Crysencio] Summerville?
NES: Trying. All of us are trying to get him [ready] as soon as possible, assessing day by day, see how he improves.
Q: Would it be too big a risk to play him on Sunday, given what's to come and the importance of the run-in?
NES: First, we have to assess. If he feels good, we are not in that point yet, so still one day to go and then we take decisions.
Q: How have you used the break? Has it been productive or have you had too many players away to get too much done?
NES: We had a lot of players away, which is good I think. Once again, I tell for us as a club, we should be proud that our teammates are happy that we have a lot of players going. Us working here hard with the players that stayed was positive.
Q: You're one game away from getting West Ham to Wembley, but you also have a very important run in in terms of Premier League survival. How do you weigh those two things up?
NES: We play one game at a time. We prepare one game at a time. So we are preparing the FA Cup as best as we can, so we can go through.
Q: Is it that those two things, a Cup run and survival, are they not necessarily opposing? Could you do both and are there benefits in terms of what the team and the fan base would achieve from a Cup run?
NES: We have to play one game at a time. We cannot think about the Wolves game. First, we played the game against Leeds, prepare them well, compete well, and then move forward.
Q: What would it mean to you to get West Ham to their first FA Cup semi-final in 20 years?
NES: We have to play the game. It's always the same. Let's prepare that we know what it means for our fans. It's in London Stadium, it's been great for us to play at home. We expect support, we know it's a big night, let's enjoy it and play.
Q: And it could give them, the fans, a huge boost as well. I know you don't want to look too far ahead, but that could have a knock-on effect going into the rest of the season?
NES: We know that they're going to be there to support us. This is the more important thing. I think the help of the fans to the team has been great and we cannot thank them enough.
Q: And in terms of a Cup run and potentially lifting this trophy, can you take inspiration, confidence from what Crystal Palace did last year?
NES: We have to play the game. You keep insisting and telling me what's ahead! Let's play the game. It's going to be a tough one, Leeds is a good team. They have their own ambitions also so it's going to be a very, very intense game.
Q: In terms of Leeds then, what are you expecting?
NES: A tough opponent. Top quality players. They play good. We know what to expect, so we have to be switched on to compete well.
Q: You've won all four of your domestic Cup quarter-finals. What's the secret?
NES: I don't recall all of them to analyse, but we always need to compete well. A bit of luck helps too, so I hope it happens.
Q: Back in October, you unfortunately fell short at Elland Road. But what can you learn from that 2-1 defeat and take into this weekend's game?
NES: It's been a while. It was long ago. I think both teams have changed A lot. We know it's going to be difficult, but that game is too far away for us to analyse. Like I said, both teams have changed a lot, so we learn from experiences, always whether they are positive or negative it's always something that we take on board to try and ratify what we did, what we didn't do so good at.
Q: I know you don't want to look too far...
NES: I don't want to!
Q: The furthest point, but Leeds are also your final game of the season. So do you think potentially for the players there could be that little mental boost if you beat them on Sunday and then you can look ahead?
NES: We don't know. I'm sorry to disappoint you! We don't know, we have to play. We have to go day by day. This is how we approach our work, day by day.
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