Kevin Nolan says Nuno Espirito Santo left him baffled with a costly call he made in West Ham’s harsh defeat to Arsenal.
It was the biggest game of the Premier League season when West Ham welcomed Arsenal to the London Stadium on Sunday.
And it lived up to its billing with high drama, culminating in what’s been billed the most controversial decision in the history of VAR in disallowing Callum Wilson’s late equaliser.
The Hammers missed a gilt-edged chance to win the game when Mateus Fernandes produced a woeful effort when one-on-one with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Nolan can’t understand Nuno’s obsession with Pablo at West Ham
West Ham then conceded in the 82nd minute to rub salt in the wound.
But Wilson, who has made a habit of scoring important and late goals as a second half substitute this season, looked to have saved the day.
Give us your response to Callum Wilson’s VAR heartbreak? 😫
The right call? Or harsh on Pablo?
That was until the intervention of VAR for Pablo’s foul on the goalkeeper. The VAR review glossed over the fact Pablo and at least three other West Ham players were being fouled in the area as the corner came in.
The incident has dominated football news and debate ever since.
Many West Ham fans have been blaming the officials, accusing them of pushing the club closer to relegation as a result.
But Kevin Nolan believes the real blame sits at the door of manager Nuno Espirito Santo and his baffling trust in Pablo and seeming reluctance to use Wilson.
Many West Ham fans feel Wilson, who is the club’s best finisher by a mile, deserves to be starting.
Yet Nuno left Nolan scratching his head by bringing on woeful Pablo ahead of the English striker.
Nolan baffled by Nuno’s reluctance to give Wilson more West Ham game time
In the wake of the devastating defeat to Arsenal, Hammers News said Nuno must be axed if West Ham drop for making the worst substitution in the club’s modern history when he brought Pablo on ahead of Wilson.
Not only did Pablo miss a great chance to score, his lazy defending on the edge of West Ham’s box led to Arsenal’s goal.
Nothing can change now – but what do YOU want to hear from the PGMO?! 😳
I want to know why Rice on Dinos was ignored! 😡
Pablo then fouled Raya to ironically see Wilson’s leveller ruled out.
Speaking on No Tippy Tappy Football, Nolan said he simply does not understand why Nuno does not give Wilson more game time and was perplexed by the decision to bring Pablo on ahead of him.
“Callum Wilson I don’t understand why he wasn’t on the pitch earlier instead of putting Pablo on,” Nolan said.
“I didn’t get it. Such a big game. Such a big game where you know he’s going to be a bit of a presence up there.
“You’re going to have to start putting the ball in the box.
“He’s one who if it drops to you in the box, because he did it against Everton as well not so long ago.”
Nolan’s comments will strike a chord with West Ham fans who have been critical of Nuno for his reluctance to play Wilson.
Things would be even worse for the Hammers if Nuno had got his way too.
In January Nuno was keen to ship Wilson out of the club, but West Ham’s board stepped in to stop his departure.
There will surely be no hiding place for West Ham’s head coach when they go to Newcastle on Sunday.
The Hammers must do everything in their power to come away from St James’ Park with a positive result.
Nobody at West Ham knows that ground better than Wilson, who has been the only Hammers striker who looks a genuine goal threat.
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