It is the small matter of West Ham United versus Tottenham Hotspur this weekend; a match which could come to represent a welcome turning point or an end-of-days afternoon for two under-fire Premier League gaffers.
Thomas Frank vs Nuno Espirito Santo. 14th vs 18th.
From Champions League finalists and Conference League winners to mid-table mediocrity and survival battlers; Expect the rapid decline of both clubs to be the central topic of pre-match discussion when Spurs host their hated rivals from the East on Saturday afternoon.
Can West Ham United build on their nervy but much-needed FA Cup triumph over Queens Park Rangers? Will Lucas Paqueta sign off in style? Will he even play at all? And who will be needed to step up with Mateus Fernandes facing a race against time?
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What do West Ham have to do to BEAT Tottenham on Saturday? ⚒️
And what is your favourite West Ham v Spurs moment?
West Ham United hope to secure a first win over Tottenham since 2023
Of the eleven players who started when West Ham defeated Spurs back in December 2023, only five remain at the club today.
A quintet which includes third-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, the surely-departing Lucas Paqueta and forgotten man James Ward-Prowse. How times have changed.
Ward-Prowse scored the winner that day. Two years later, the England international is not even in Nuno’s immediate plans.
Former boss Alan Curbishley believes 2007’s ‘Great Escape’ started with a thrilling derby against Tottenham. But what can Nuno do to repeat the magic of ’07? Or, failing that, a repeat of that 2023 triumph in North London?
Alphonse Areola and Guglielmo Vicario could be weak links
Where will West Ham vs Tottenham be WON and LOST?
A battle between two inconsistent goalkeepers… 🧤
Forget the managers; there are serious doubts about whether either Alphonse Areola or Guglielmo Vicario will start next season as their club’s respective number ones.
The erratic form of two occasionally-brilliant but often-exasperating goalkeepers is just one of many potential flashpoints this weekend.
Dominic Solanke vs Jean-Clair Todibo? Ollie Scarles vs Wilson Odobert? Jarrod Bowen vs Djed Spence? With injuries stacking up, this may be an occasion which requires a rather unexpected hero.
Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta are doubts
Speaking of injuries, Nuno admits that Mateus Fernandes and Lucas Paqueta are both doubts. In the latter’s case, it is not only a reported back injury which could keep him out.
Konstantinos Mavropanos may be out as well after he was stretchered off against QPR.
On the upside, such absences open up an opportunity for another, perhaps less-heralded player to make a name for themselves…
With these players out or doutbful, who needs to step up against Tottenham?!
Thomas Frank may struggle to survive another Spurs embarrassment
Hammers News can confirm that Nuno retains the backing of David Sullivan and co at West Ham. Thomas Frank might not be quite so fortunate, especially if Tottenham suffer an eighth home defeat of his tenure against a bitter rival.
But if Frank was fired tomorrow, and Nuno quickly followed suit, would you be willing to welcome a man who established Brentford as modern-day Premier League stalwarts?
If not, let us know your preferred Nuno successor? That is, of course, unless you believe a Curbishley-esque revival is on the cards.
Be honest; how would YOU feel if West Ham swapped Nuno for Thomas Frank?
The Spurs boss has come in for huge criticism…
West Ham will hope to repeat 2013’s famous White Hart Lane triumph
That wondrous victory 13 years ago is best remembered for Ravel Morrison’s sublime solo effort. But can you remember who led the line for Sam Allardyce’s side that day?
And who was the 113-cap defender who started at left-back?
How West Ham would love to REPEAT that famous 3-0 win…
But can you work out the four missing players from the 2013 victory?
James Ward-Prowse likely to be omitted once again
For the second week in succession, Nuno indicated that there is no way back for James Ward-Prowse at West Ham.
In a season where set-pieces have taken on a greater importance than ever before, is Nuno missing a trick omitting one of the division’s finest deliverers of a dead-ball?
If you were in Nuno’s shoes, would you be willing to offer an olive branch?
In the age of set-pieces, why aren’t West Ham making more of James Ward-Prowse?! 👀
He was getting David Beckham comparisons at one point!
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