Lucas Paqueta looks set to earn a reprieve as Julen Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for the clash with Nottingham Forest.
Earlier this week it was claimed Julen Lopetegui has decided he needs to be more ruthless at West Ham.
One outlet cited sources close to the Hammers claiming the head coach was going to be making three major changes to the starting XI for the game with Nottingham Forest.
Lucas Paqueta and Carlos Soler were two of the players set to be axed from West Ham’s starting line-up.
Both were hooked at half-time of the win over Man United.
The Hammers turned in a markedly improved display without them and that had made Lopetegui’s mind up, it’s alleged.
Crysencio Summerville came on and changed the game, scoring and winning man of the match.
Paqueta reprieve as Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes?
It taught Lopetegui a valuable lesson – that West Ham fans do know what they’re talking about.
The manager reacted bizarrely to a straightforward Summerville question ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest.
That suggests he may not start him yet again.
West Ham fans would be incredulous if that were to be the case.
There is also a potential issue at the back with Jean-Clair Todibo a doubt having sat out training after aggravating a knock against Man United.
As things stand it’s unclear whether the French defender is available.
There is also talk Tomas Soucek may be a doubt with a bug.
We predict Paqueta gets a reprieve as Lopetegui makes two West Ham changes for Nottingham Forest.
Summerville to finally get his Hammers start
Mohammed Kudus is suspended and Niclas Fullkrug is still out for the Hammers.
West Ham believe Forest will be without four of their top players for the big clash.
Without confirmation over Todibo, we will assume he will make the match despite not being seen in training.
So he will come back in for Konstantinos Mavropanos in change number one at the City Ground.
Paqueta may have found himself left out in favour of Soucek.
But if word is true that the big Czech is ill, then expect Paqueta to get yet another chance from the start.
Change two should – by rights anyway – see Summerville come in for Soler on the left.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Nottingham Forest:
Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Paqueta, Summerville, Bowen, Antonio.
The official team will be announced at 1.45pm.
The big five pundits are all in agreement about West Ham and their chances of a win at Nottingham Forest.
If Paqueta does get another start he needs to step up to the plate.
The Brazilian may have a lot on his mind but West Ham pay him £150k per week and his performances in 2024 have been woeful.
A West Ham win would put Lopetegui’s side just two points off Forest in the table.
Follow that up with another win at home to Everton next week and dreams of Europe could be back on.
West Ham have lost both games at the City Ground since Forest’s return to the big time.
But the Hammers hold the edge historically with 48 wins to Forest’s 46.
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