Rabiu AminuBurnley 0 – 2 West Ham | Nuno’s high risk strategy rated as Hammers cruise it
Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham starting eleven came in for a fair few raised eyebrows as he named three changes for the away fixture at Turf Moor: Alphonse Areola apparently suffering from a ‘knock’ that allowed Hermansen to make his first Premier League appearance since August.
In addition there was a starting debut for Axel Disasi, straight into the starting eleven despite no Premier League action since last April. Callum Wilson completed the changed line up as Nuno recognised Wilsons’ penchant for goals against Burnley and presumably moved to address the Hammers lace of pace late on by holding Pablo back until the latter stages when Wilson tired.
No early alarms and Nuno’s strategy looked solid as the Hammers again raced into a two goal lead with Fernandes looking supreme in midfield with an assist and some stellar tackling to break up Burnley forays. For the fifth game in a row, can you believe, West Ham scored within the first fifteen minutes.
Nuno gets the calls right in the second half
All eyes were on the manager’s strategy to safely shepherd the points into the bank – after recent second half capitulations. And indeed it was Burnley who piled on the pressure in the second half: Nuno responding and introduced Potts as a replacement for Callum Wilson on 55 minutes. Hopefully the better option than adding the third centre back as West Ham shifted to three in midfield.
Burnleys’ trio of changes went unanswered until Pablo and Scarles entered on ’75 in place of Taty and Diouf. Surprising to see Disasi likely to go the distance: So much for the ‘unfit’ stories. It seemed Nuno had reflected on the previous folly of adding a third centre back and going overly defensive.
The addition of Potts added a huge layer of steel to West Ham’s midfield and Nuno deserves credit (finally) for getting it right.
And grabbing a first clean sheet in many, many months.
Summerville and Bowen left at 91′ for Traore and Kyle Walker Peters to shepherd the game out. Credit to Nuno, a solid 7/10 this week.
From the old Bobby Moore Upper to the Billy Bonds’ stand these days – sometimes- have to admit I have not renewed my season ticket… I’ve been watching since ’03 and a supporter since about 1970..
Favourite player – Dean Ashton: Still watch YouTube repeats of the Cup Final of 2006 hoping in vain that Shaka Hislop grows six inches and stops Steven Gerrard’s injury time equaliser. Can tell I’m getting old knowing I saw both Mark Noble’s debut and his last game at West Ham.
Pulling on a Claret and Blue replica shirt still makes me feel the same butterflies as when I was seven years old. Magic.
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
