Nuno Espirito Santo knows exactly what West Ham United need to prepare for when they host Premier League surprise packages Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime.
Then again, knowing about it and stopping it are two very different things.
There is currently a 17-point gap between last season’s Championship play-off champions and top-flight stalwarts West Ham United. As for why, well, there are a host of factors.
Revenge awaits!
What do YOU want to see as West Ham look to avenge August's 3-0 loss?
For one, Sunderland have Robin Roefs; arguably the division’s best, most complete goalkeeper right now.
You could make a claim that all of Sunderland’s first-choice back four would walk into the Hammers XI. Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos were outstanding in last week’s 2-1 win at Tottenham. Their goal difference, though, remains 20 behind that of the break-even Black Cats.
The broad-shouldered Brian Brobbey is what West Ham hoped they were getting with Niclas Fullkrug. And, in Granit Xhaka, Enzo le Fee and Noah Sadiki, Regis le Bris can rest upon perhaps the most complimentary midfield trio outside of the European spots.
A midfield trio that, if West Ham do not get to grips with them, could dominate proceedings in East London. Nuno Espirito Santo has a decision to make, then. Who should start alongside Mateus Fernandes? Sunderland’s strengths, coupled with Tomas Soucek’s battling display at Tottenham, potentially gives him the nod over Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa.
Nuno Espirito Santo should start Tomas Soucek when West Ham United face Sunderland
When Sunderland thrashed the Hammers 3-0 in August, the spine of Graham Potter’s team consisted of Mads Hermansen, Max Kilman, James Ward-Prowse/Guido Rodriguez, and Fullkrug. There is a very realistic chance that none of those five play on Saturday.
A spine of Alphonse Areola, Dinos Mavropanos, Tomas Soucek/ Mateus Fernandes and Taty Castellanos has its faults, sure. But these five appear far more suited to combatting Sunderland’s steel and strength than those who were swept away in a Wearside tidal wave.
“[Sunderland] have a very good team and they are working really well since last season,” Nuno said during his press conference on Thursday. “They prepared well for the challenge of coming into the Premier League. They’ve got good players and they are playing very, very good.
“A tough opponent. All the teams in the Premier League are hard to beat. You can’t expect an easy game. But Sunderland has talent, energy, organisation, and they are really strong on the duels. A physical team.
“We know what we are going to face.”
Mavropanos made 13 clearances against Tottenham. Until West Ham can sign a new centre-half – Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell is still the dream target of the majority – the Greek giant remains Nuno’s most imposing, most aerially-dominant option.
Who do you want to see PARTNER Mateus Fernandes v Sunderland? 🇵🇹
Soucek, Potts or Magassa?
Mavropanos has won 60 per cent of his aerial duels this term, compared to Kilman’s 18 per cent and Todibo’s 11 per cent. The one-time Arsenal prospect should be among the first names on the team sheet, then, against a Sunderland side who like to play the ball long into the path of Brobbey, and boast man-mountains like Dan Ballard from set-piece situations.
If Sunderland plan to test the physicality of West Ham’s team, then Soucek could be equally important. The Czech veteran lacks the mobility of Freddie Potts. But having got in the faces of Tottenham oh-so effectively last time out – breaking their rhythm while making seven clearances of his own – Soucek arguably deserves to keep his spot.
Nuno also has the option of fielding Soucek alongside Potts or Soungoutou Magassa, with Fernandes stepping at number ten. Lucas Paqueta has been ruled out already, after all. On the other hand, Nuno may be tempted to take the ‘if it ain’t broke’ angle.
Sticking with a winning formula.
As for the backline, the prospect of Max Kilman being tossed around like a ragdoll by the fearsome frame of Brobbey is enough to give even the most confident supporter nightmares.
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