"After three tough defeats, West Ham roared back with a big win at Nottingham Forest. Some encouraging signs, thanks to one cameo in particular, but Graham Potter’s side have their vulnerabilities..."
Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit
Super sub Summerville
Crysencio Summerville’s first appearance since January, after a serious hamstring injury, was game changing at Nottingham Forest. Introduced in the 82nd minute, with the score goalless - it finished 3-0. The winger’s bold dribble infield, from the left, weaving through Forest players, led to Jarrod Bowen’s brilliant opener. Summerville won a penalty moments later, producing an excellent piece of skill to draw a challenge from Ibrahim Sangaré. With El Hadji Malick Diouf bombing forward from left-back, as he did to make Callum Wilson’s goal two weeks ago, the Hammers have serious attacking threats down that side.
Midfield moves
Lucas Paqueta’s goal celebration at the City Ground gave the clearest indicator, kissing the West Ham badge, that he had no intention of leaving. A lot rides on the Brazil international this season, in a creative sense, especially following Kudus’ move to Spurs - and Paqueta has delivered with goals in his last three games including a stunner against Chelsea. But the Hammers have given him some additional support with the £38m signing of Matheus Fernandes from Southampton. A ball carrying midfielder, ranking amongst the best for doing that in the Premier League last season, he also finished 24/25 with 6 assists and 3 goals in a struggling team. One of those strikes even came in a Saints’ loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season. Soungoutou Magassa, part of France’s 2024 Olympics side, could debut in defensive midfield too, having not quite signed in time from Monaco to make his debut in Nottingham.
Weaknesses so far...
West Ham conceded three goals from corners in the 5-1 loss to Chelsea, while six of the 11 goals conceded so far in all competitions have come from crosses. Blues' forward Joao Pedro, Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sunderland pair Eliezer Mayenda and Daniel Ballard have all scored headers against them - so watch out for Pedro Porro or Mohammed Kudus trying to pick out Richarlison at London Stadium. New goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has had a difficult start, looking uncertain with deliveries into the box; a concern for West Ham given Spurs’ renewed threat from set-pieces. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hermansen put under real pressures at corners by someone like Micky van de Ven, who did that so effectively in pre-season against Arsenal’s David Raya.
Two potential debuts...
Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani could make their debuts on Saturday. “With all due respect to our offensive players, none of them hit a high level, and that happens sometimes,” admitted Thomas Frank after the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth. Against teams that will look to frustrate Spurs, there’s no doubt Xavi offers something that can make the difference. “Sometimes you need a player that can do something a little bit out of nothing, go past the player, produce a cross, a shot, a pass, with that extra quality that you need on the day, and that's what I think he can bring." His inclusion could see a change to the balance in midfield, with the trio of Bentancur, Palhinha and Sarr used last time out, as they were against City. Meanwhile, Randal Kolo Muani will be hoping for his chance too. The Frenchman was mainly used as a striker by Juventus last season on loan, but during the 23/24 Ligue 1 season for PSG he played on the wing in 10 of his 26 appearances.