Nuno Espirito Santo looks set to make one big change to his West Ham side for the clash with Brentford after making a major striker call.
West Ham take on Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday night for what already feels like a huge early-season six-pointer.
While “must-win” may be a stretch at this stage, the fact only a 4-0 victory would see the Hammers climb out of the bottom three speaks volumes about the predicament Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are in.
There have, though, been genuine signs of life under the Portuguese.
His first two games saw a much-improved performance in a 1-1 draw at Everton, a game West Ham could and probably should have won.
Maybe not must-win yet but an early six-pointer for West Ham
The Arsenal match was always going to be a tough ask given the gulf in quality between the two sides.
But the Hammers were much more resilient albeit completely toothless in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.
Both games have given West Ham something to build on under their new boss.
The real test starts now, though, with a crucial game against Brentford set against the backdrop of a large-scale fan boycott.
The timing is unfortunate being Nuno’s first home game. But many supporters feel it is necessary to follow through with their activism to send their message.
Supporter groups have also sent Nuno a message making it clear the protests are in no way a reflection of how they feel about him or his appointment.
The Hammers face a tricky trip to Leeds on Friday night before back-to-back home games against Newcastle and Burnley in the lead-up to the November international break.
While he has not set a target publicly, privately Nuno will be wanting at least seven or eight points from that run of matches in order to start dragging his side clear of danger.
That makes victory over Brentford vital.
And with several key selection calls to make, all eyes will be on how the Portuguese boss lines his team up under the lights at London Stadium.
Nuno makes one big change for Brentford after striker call
It says a lot about the lack of depth in West Ham’s squad that Nuno has very few selection dilemmas.
Especially now his starting striker Niclas Fullkrug is crocked again.
However, Nuno does have one key player back with Tomas Soucek returning after serving a three-game ban.
The Czech midfielder has missed the new manager’s first two matches but now gives him his biggest headache.
Nuno has highlighted West Ham’s lack of aggression and physicality in winning first contacts and second balls as a big problem he identified immediately.
In his drive to make the team more competitive, it sounds like Soucek could be right up the head coach’s street.
How he uses the Hammers fan favourite will be just as interesting.
West Ham need Soucek back to his box-crashing attacking midfield best if they are to score the goals which will help them avoid relegation from the Premier League.
With Fullkrug out, Nuno has to decide whether he replaces him with another bona fide forward in Callum Marshall or Callum Wilson.
Or does he use someone like Lucas Paqueta, captain Jarrod Bowen or Crysencio Summerville up front instead.
Nuno snubbed Wilson in the defeat at Arsenal, bringing young Marshall on ahead of him when Fullkrug came off.
Soucek straight back after return in West Ham’s only change
Ex Hammers hero Dean Ashton says he spotted Wilson was angry with Nuno after that game.
It therefore seems unlikely Wilson will start and throwing Marshall in for such a vital match could be a big ask – and risk.
We predict Nuno makes one big West Ham change for Brentford after his striker call.
Nuno will likely bring Soucek straight back into the starting XI to take Fullkrug’s place.
But he could elect to play Summerville or Bowen as the forward with Paqueta taking their place on either side and Soucek slotting into midfield.
Alternatively he will put Paqueta up front in a false nine with Soucek back in the middle.
All eyes then will be on whether outcasts James Ward-Prowse and Jean-Clair Todibo make the squad having been omitted so far.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Brentford:
Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf, Magassa, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen, Paqueta.
Official teams will be announced 6.45pm.
