In a busy day at West Ham United, Nuno Espirito Santo opened the door for further departures, stepped up his FA Cup third round preparations, and green-lit George Earthy’s return to Bristol City.
There is only one place to start, really.
West Ham United host London neighbours Queens Park Rangers in an FA Cup third round clash which, if all goes to plan, could provide a welcome confidence-booster and a timely distraction from a dismal Premier League campaign.
Of course, if things should go the other way and the Hammers suffer an immediate exit at home to a second-tier side – not to mention a local rival – the pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo will reach almost intolerable levels.
Hammers News were told this week that Nuno retains David Sullivan’s backing.
Following up a disastrous home defeat to Nottingham Forest with an FA ‘Cupset’, and this would surely snap the patience of an owner who, for all his many, many faults, has previously shown a lot more faith than many of his contemporaries in the face of underperforming managers.
But how do you, the Hammers News readers, feel? What team should Nuno put out this weekend? Is loaning out George Earthy the right move? And have we seen the last of Callum Wilson?
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Nuno Espirito Santo needs an FA Cup pick-me-up as West Ham United host QPR
Speaking at his official press conference on Friday lunchtime, Nuno hardly sounded like a man ready to throw in the towel.
He has a dilemma to work out, though, as the pre-match preparations get underway.
As West Ham fans clamour for Mohamadou Kante to be handed a full debut, potentially alongside Ezra Mayers and maybe even Preston Fearon, does Nuno risk giving the kids a go on a day when defeat could prove the final, fatal blow?
And, at this stage, do you have any confidence left that Nuno is the man to turn things around?
Out of 10, how CONFIDENT are you that Nuno can still save West Ham?
Beating QPR in the FA Cup is a start…
James Ward-Prowse, Mads Hermansen and Callum Wilson could leave
It is no secret that Nuno does not rate James Ward-Prowse or Mads Hermansen particularly highly.
Even Guido Rodriguez is ahead of Ward-Prowse in the pecking order these days. As for the £18 million goalkeeper snapped up as recently as August, Hermansen is also yet to make an appearance on Nuno’s watch.
That could change on Sunday, if he opts to give Alphonse Areola a rest.
But, while confirming that young Earthy will be loaned out again in search of regular minutes, Nuno indicated that the door is open for Hermansen and Ward-Prowse, alongside veteran striker Callum Wilson.
The right call? Let us know your thoughts on what is shaping up to be a substantial January overhaul.
Nuno admits these four could all be leaving West Ham…
How do you feel about what could be a BIG January overhaul?
Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock linked with Hammers switch
From outgoings to incomings, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reported on Friday morning that a 32-year-old Jamaica international has emerged as an alternative, and more affordable, centre-back target.
Is Ethan Pinnock the Craig Dawson replacement the Hammers crave? His aerial duel success rate certainly bodes well for a team who just cannot stop conceding from corners and free-kicks.
Pinnock idolised former Hammer Rio Ferdinand as a kid. Now, while he would likely be a short-term, quick fix, an ageing, low-cost solution to those defensive woes is better than no solution at all.
Hey, Dawson didn’t do too badly in claret and blue when he joined in similar circumstances, right?
What is your RESPONSE to those Ethan Pinnock links?
Underwhelming? Or Craig Dawson 2.0?
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