As Jean-Clair Todibo returns to contention for West Ham United, out goes Freddie Potts; Nuno Espirito Santo losing another player to suspension ahead of Saturday’s late kick-off against AFC Bournemouth.
Following his red card in that 1-0 FA Cup victory over Burton Albion, Potts will be unavailable against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Fulham. On a more positive note, West Ham United did not appear to miss Todibo all that much when he spent a couple of games on the sidelines.
It is testament to the new-found strength in depth available to Nuno Espirito Santo that, without a man many consider to be the club’s finest centre-half, only Benjamin Sesko managed to find a way to breach Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
No Potts, no Pablo – but Todibo is back!
What changes would YOU make to this potential XI v Bournemouth? 🤔
And therein lies the dilemma.
When asked by Hammers News earlier in the week, a staggering 87 per cent of our TalkingPoint readers said that Disasi should keep his place ahead of Todibo.
Of course, there is also the possibility that Mavropanos is forced to make way should Nuno opt to pursue a French connection in front of a revitalised Mads Hermansen.
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West Ham United fans debate Konstantinos Mavropanos v Jean-Clair Todibo
Todibo will only have himself to blame if Disasi leapfrogs him to become Nuno’s first-choice centre-half. That red card in the midst of a stoppage time brawl at Stamford Bridge was, albeit not quite as brainless as Lucas Paqueta’s against Liverpool, pretty silly.
The message coming from the fans, meanwhile, is if it ain’t broke, well, then there’s nothing to fix.
“Can’t drop Mavropanos! He’s been unreal lately,” one reader wrote on our Facebook page.
“Would be a bit harsh to drop Dino,” another said, just one of many who feel Mavropanos should keep his spot.
“Todibo should fight for his place after letting the team down with his red card.”
“Don’t know if Mavropanos should be pulled. Maybe Todibo shouldn’t come straight back in. But I’m no expert.”
“Why drop Mav? He has done well lately!”
“Mavropanos and [Alphonse] Areola should start for me. Todibo should have to work his way back into the team.”
“Mav doesn’t deserve to be dropped, does he? Todibo got himself banned, so must wait for his opportunity again.”
Five straight draws between West Ham and Bournemouth! ⚒️ v 🍒
What should Nuno do to END that run this weekend?
Nuno has a decision to make with Mateus Fernandes against Bournemouth
Another selection dilemma is brought about by the continued absence of Pablo Felipe.
Nuno stated that Pablo is ‘getting better each day’ following a recent calf injury, but that Bournemouth clash still comes much too soon for him. Does Nuno pick Callum Wilson to lead the line with Taty Castellanos playing a little deeper?
Does he perhaps push Mateus Fernandes into the number ten role and give Soungoutou Magassa his first league start since the 3-0 defeat at Wolves? Magassa looks the most likely beneficiary from Freddie Potts’ absence.
The downside to this suggestion is that Fernandes’ running power and very underrated ball-winning talents are arguably best suited to a box-to-box number eight role rather than as a ‘second-striker’ or number ten.
On the other hand, Magassa could be key to breaking the rhythm of a well-balanced Bournemouth midfield.
“Magassa is a fair shout, but he will have to push up though to occupy the opposition defence,” one reader argues.
“I think it may be three at the back with Magassa making way and Fernandes a bit further back. If you play him at ten, you restrict him being from being able to play probing passes to start the attack.”
“I’m not a fan of [putting Magassa alongside Tomas Soucek]. Playing Fernandes that high up takes away his quality running and passing from deep, whilst making us much flatter and less progressive in midfield. I reckon he’ll play a 4-3-3 with Fernandes deeper.”
Beat Bournemouth, and should Nottingham Forest lose at home to Liverpool, West Ham will end the weekend outside of the relegation zone.
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