Nuno Espirito Santo regretted his team selection after West Ham United lost to Newcastle last weekend and he surely won’t make the same mistake again.
Speaking during his press conference after West Ham’s miserable defeat on Tyneside, a deflated-looking Nuno was asked if he regretted not starting Taty Castellanos.
He replied: “I regret so many things, you know.”
Nuno wants to make YOU proud – so where do you think we finish in the table when all is said and done on Sunday?!
Heading into the Newcastle game, there was an understandable clamour for Callum Wilson to start. Wilson, however, failed to justify that – although he was hardly alone in underperforming as Nuno went for a five-man defence.
With that in mind, Hammers News have put together the team we think Nuno should name for West Ham versus Leeds.
Taty and Pablo must start for West Ham against Leeds
Taty was one of few West Ham players who impressed against Newcastle last time out, coming off the bench and scoring a brilliant goal.
The Argentine has surely done enough, then, to feature from the off in the final game of the season.
West Ham have to go on the front foot here, which means Taty needs support. Enter, Pablo Felipe.
Pretend you’re Nuno – what changes are you making ahead of Leeds? 👀
If anyone says keep the back five, I'll be shocked 😂
Now, Pablo has consistently enraged West Ham fans during his brief time of things here in east London.
While it would be foolish to suggest that Pablo is perfect, he does – when at his best – give West Ham a presence up the pitch alongside Taty.
It’s clear that Wilson cannot start games. He is far better off the bench and that is where he should return on Sunday.
The rest of the team largely picks itself.
Mads Hermansen is likely to continue in goal, while Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos should start as West Ham’s centre-backs. Kyle Walker-Peters impressed during his run in the team and Aaron Wan-Bissaka has not done enough of late.
Tomas Soucek and Mateus Fernandes are almost undroppable in midfield, as are Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen on the wings, particularly with Adama Traore injured.
West Ham XI that Nuno must name vs Leeds (4-4-2): Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Disasi, Mavropanos, Diouf; Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville; Taty, Pablo
Injury doubts: Adama Traore (muscle)
West Ham need to beat Leeds to stand any hope of staying up on the final day of the season. This is surely the best way to go at home. The ultra-defensive tactics deployed last weekend will not be welcome.
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