Nuno Espirito Santo is not one for getting carried away, and he knows that West Ham United’s 4-0 battering of Wolves may count for little if they follow it up with a return to bad habits at Crystal Palace.
Palace host their London rivals at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
West Ham United should make the short trip across the capital in good spirits, having put Wolverhampton Wanderers to the sword during their biggest home Premier League win in three years.
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Taty Castellanos rifled in a 99-second brace last time out. Crysencio Summerville marked his return in lively fashion, while Jarrod Bowen is ‘back at his brilliant best’ on the opposite flank.
Nuno Espirito Santo, though, is refusing to let complacency set in.
West Ham United must emulate Wolves second-half against Crystal Palace
Speaking at his press conference on Friday lunchtime, Nuno highlighted an even first-half against Wolves as proof of how much progress there is still to be made.
“It’s much better when you are aware you are making a big effort to improve the situation, but nothing has changed really. Still six games to go. A lot of work to do,” Nuno says in typically level-headed fashion.
“That’s the big challenge that we have ahead of us; to sustain our levels of performance. It’s very hard, but it’s the big challenge – to see if we can sustain our levels not only for the next game, but for the full 90 minutes.
“The first-half [vs Wolves] was not so good. The second-half, much improved. Before, we have started games very well. It’s a balance. That is the challenge ahead of us.”
Castellanos took his tally to four Premier League goals in the blinking of an eye. Nuno is now asking the January signing to strike while the iron is hot, while he remains confident that Pablo Felipe will end his goal drought imminently following a maiden assist.
“What is good for the players is the confidence they get [after a big win]. Jarrod, Cry, Taty, Pablo, Callum Wilson; players who rely on individual aspects,” adds the Iberian. “Confidence makes a big, big difference and we expect them to take advantage.
“Like Taty, we hope it continues.”
Nuno played down concerns over Konstantinos Mavropanos’ future too, as reports emerge linking the Greek defender with Borussia Dortmund.
Nuno expects a tough challenge against Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace are sweating over Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix, after both were forced off during the opening 41 minutes of Thursday’s Europa Conference League quarter-final triumph over Fiorentina.
“We watched the game. As always, it’s a good moment to analyse [the opposition],” adds Nuno, who is placing little importance on the sight of Oliver Glasner’s Euro heroes partying late into the Florence night.
“We know Palace. They are a very good team, very hard to beat. They have an idea with Oliver that brings a lot of success. We are aware of the difficulties we are going to face. We know they are going to be ready to play us on Monday night.”
How much should West Ham demand for Mavropanos?
“They are a really good team with a shape and ideas that are really established, which brought a lot of success last season, and they continue to perform well. They have individual players with a lot of talent. That’s credit to them, for Oliver to keep them tight and together. You can see it in their performances.
“A very good team.
“All the boys are OK,” a relieved head coach explains. “It’s always good to have all the options available. It’s a good sign and a reflection of the players – how they prepare themselves really well, take care after the match, and recover. It’s been good; we are working hard and the atmosphere is good. Focus is on getting ready for Monday.”
“I think it’s positive after a good performance; it helps in terms of preparation. We’ll make sure we are focused on what we have to do. It doesn’t change anything [playing last]; we have to focus only on ourselves. I don’t see a big difference. We have to focus on Monday against Palace; it’s important for us.”
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