Callum Wilson’s lack of minutes has been the subject of much debate among West Ham United fans but Nuno Espirito Santo now has the perfect excuse to bring him off the bench.
Wilson wants to play more regularly at West Ham United, having last started a Premier League game away at Fulham in March.
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Still, Nuno has so far chosen January signings Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe ahead of him, despite Wilson being a much more reliable source of goals.
There is some logic to that. Wilson has completed one Premier League game all season, after all.
That is not a criticism – just a reflection on where he is at this stage of his career. Wanting Wilson to start more regularly is understandable, but Sunday’s game against Newcastle isn’t the right time.
Wilson scores late goals, Newcastle concede them
Wilson has scored two last-minute winners for West Ham this season, securing Nuno vital wins over Tottenham and Everton.
Without him, West Ham would surely have been relegated a long time ago.
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Back four? Start Wilson? What would you do? 🤔
Clearly, West Ham need to beat Newcastle on Sunday – a feat that looks much more possible than in recent seasons.
Not only has their home form tanked this season, Eddie Howe’s side have conceded the most goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season (20).
With that in mind, bringing someone like Wilson – who has a track record of scoring late goals and will no doubt want to prove his former club wrong – is surely the best way to go.
Taty and Pablo have often invoked the ire of supporters here in east London because of their lack of a cutting edge.
That is a fair criticism but what cannot be doubted is their energy and work rate.
Playing them and then bringing Wilson off the bench to expose Newcastle’s biggest weakness must be the blueprint.
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