Nuno opts for Moyesball in tough trip to Brighton

West ham's record against Brighton is simply abysmal with only one win in the last 16 encounters! The Seagulls have got our number and generally bask in their tippy-tappyness as we crumble. 

Nuno needs to stop that rot and has opted for five at the back, allowing our wing backs to push up and support Bowen and the (thankfully) returning Summerville. It's a plan but one that failed repeatedly during the Moyesball era.

No doubt the formation in part has been encouraged by the intense efforts of Thursday night where the Hammers energetically grabbed a valuable point. However, the recent heroics of Leeds and Burnley have further emphasized that it'll probably require 40 points to stay up this season and the Hammers need to chisel out some much needed points until January reinforcements arrive.

That said, the relegation of Potts and Magassa to the bench seems odd as they are both young and should have adequate engines for two games in four days. It's hard to see what the incoming Rodriguez will offer against a pacey Brighton midfield.

Wilson will likely benefit from a rest and can add spice if needed.

Paqueta returns and has some making up to do after one of the silliest red cards in our history.

COYI!!!

Starting XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf, Rodriguez, Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville, Bowen

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Wilson, Fullkrug, Magassa, Soucek, Potts, Irving, Mayers

 

Its Bazza time for the Hammers!

Yes folks, it's the "Barry McGuigan" as West ham face the Red Devils tonight at Ye Olde Trafford. Just when it looked like Nuno had turned things around, the Hammers had a nivhtmare against stuttering Liverpool on Sunday. Pool were there for the takibg but Nuno's troops failed to maintain their recent momentum and were easily beaten 2-0.

To add salt to the wounds, Lucas Paqueta decided to get himself needlessly sent off in a bizarre display of childish petulance that forced the ref to deliver a yellow and then a red card for persistent arguing. 

Without Somerville to add width, Jarrod Bowen has been double marked and up front the Hamners look frail. 

The odds are that Soucek will return, which will add some mscle and aerial impact but just now its hard to see how Nuno's boys can pull off a much needed victory tonight.

With Brighton, Villa and Man City in the pipeline its gonna take some big performanxes to avoid being in the drop zone at Christmas. 

COYI!!!