West Ham United centre-forwards were a topic of discussion during Nuno Espirito Santo’s pre-Burnley press conference on Thursday, with the future of Niclas Fullkrug and the importance of Callum Wilson coming up.
Of course, after Nuno confirmed that Fullkrug is not ready to return from a thigh injury which has kept him out of action since the October international break, the dilemma facing him this weekend revolves around whether to start a natural number nine, as he did against Newcastle.
Or instead revert to the ‘false nine’ experiments of Brentford and Leeds.
Countless fans and pundits alike – Tony Cottee could not believe his eyes, for instance, when Nuno Espirito Santo started Callum Wilson on the bench for that 2-1 defeat at Elland Road – will be hoping he opts for the former.
Because, while a 33-year-old Wilson is not quite the force of old, the physicality, movement and back-to-goal qualities he brings up top could be invaluable against a physical Burnley outfit.
Speaking as West Ham United prepare to host a potential relegation rival in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off, Nuno also spoke out about the speculation surrounding Niclas Fullkrug’s future.
Fullkrug’s agent opened up about those West Ham struggles on the TOMorrow Business podcast a few days ago.
‘The transfer didn’t work’, he said justifiably of a man who has scored only three Premier League goals in 11 starts.
Nuno Espirito Santo opens up on Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson at West Ham United
Club insider Sean Whetstone reports that West Ham will demand a ‘significant’ fee if they are to let Fullkrug go in the New Year, however.
Furthermore, Hammers News have been informed that the Germany international won’t be sold without a replacement in situ.
And Nuno insists that, for as long as Fullkrug remains in East London, he will be part of his plans. Providing he is fit, of course.
“Everybody does their job in this industry. My job is to coach. From what I see, we arrived and Niclas played the first two games,” Nuno says, having started the 32-year-old against both Everton and Arsenal last month.
“Unfortunately, he got injured. Now, he’s coming back. If we can get him healthy and ready to go, he is another option for the team. That is how I see it.”
For now, though, Nuno’s options are limited to Wilson, young Callum Marshall, or deploying the likes of Jarrod Bowen or Lucas Paqueta up top. Tomas Soucek is an option up top as well, following his goalscoring cameo last time out.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 16 |  LeedsLeeds | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 11 |
| 17 |  BurnleyBurnley | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 19 | -7 | 10 |
| 18 |  West HamWest Ham | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 7 |
| 19 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 6 |
| 20 |  WolvesWolves | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 22 | -15 | 2 |
Nuno was impressed by what he saw from Wilson against his old employers Newcastle.
“I think he did a good game. [Wilson had] a tough job because he had two big physical centre-halves against him but, having a presence there, Callum gave us that,” the head coach adds.
“We have to manage Callum [and his fitness]. But with his experience, I think he can really help the team and hope he can continue the record he has against Burnley.
“If he scores, it will be amazing!”
Wilson says Newcastle win must be ‘a catalyst’ ahead of Burnley clash
Wilson has seven goals in 12 matches against the Clarets, including four in his last six starts.
“[Beating Newcastle left us] over the moon and absolutely delighted, but it has to be a catalyst,” the former England international tells the club’s official website. “It’s something to build on.
“It was a vital three points against a great team, and we have to now look forward to the next game and try and put in the same performance that we did today.
“We knew it was a game where one of us had to try and put our best foot forward, and we did that thankfully and got the three points on the board, which was amazing.
“We knew we were coming up against a team that’s been in good form over the past couple of weeks, so it was a challenge, and we rose to that and managed to come out on top.
“We’ve been working hard on the training pitch, working hard in matches to try and get a win and get points to move up the table, and thankfully we did that, and it’s gone in line with the Head Coach’s first win.”
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