Leeds vs West Ham | PL | 24.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread

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Well after the disaster of Monday at Brentford, the thought of more West Ham in the same week is enough to put anyone in a bad mood.  The 'pros' always talk about wanting to get bad games out of their system quickly, and this gives them that opportunity, but also sets up a horrible start to the weekend for the rest of us!

Teamwise, Mavro is out with what looked a nasty hamstring injury.  Fullkrug is still broken, and Earthy remains unfit.  Otherwise the rest of the squad are fit from a health perspective....maybe less so from a 'wear the shirt' angle.

Nuno's logic for his inverted fullbacks it's been revealed was to try and counter Brentford's inverted wing thread, by showing them onto the defender's strong foot...the less said about the success of that the better.  And it struggles to explain Irving and Soucek in the pivot, beyond maybe 'they're both tall'.

Anyway, hopefully that's the last of the experimentation and we can revert to what at least appears a bit less shit.  Wouldn't surprise me to see him go with a back 5 in this game though (and what I'll assume for my predicted XI).

Predicted lineup:

Areola

Wan Bissaka    Kilman     Igor   
Summerville                                            Diouf
Magassa Fernandes Paqueta

Soucek

Bowen

Subs: Hermansen, KWP, Todibo, Scarles, Potts, Irving, Guilherme, Wilson, Marshall

The squad is now a real quandary.  We don't have a good CB pairing...Todibo looks hopeless, Kilman and Igor both left footed, with one an unknown and the other weak as the senior CB.  Mavro was signed to be 3rd choice, but he's suddenly the most important man in the back line...a problem in itself.

Summerville is a must have...the only true pace in the side so leaving him out can't be compromised.  If 3 at the back and 3-4-3 was viable, not a problem....but once again we don't have a midfield with a logical two-man pairing.  Add in that Bwoen and Soucek are the only goals, and Paqueta is the only real 'vision' and we are in a bad place with a squad that don't work in combination.

So will he gamble on a bad back two, an untried midfield pair, or leave out one of the 'key' players in Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, and Summerville.

And as for playing a real striker....

Predicted Score: Leeds 2 : 0 West Ham.

Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

COYI!

[Massive Attack]

Wilson was ineffective when coming on in to a disaster zone? He instantly put their Keeper and Defence under pressure stretching their defence finally winning corners for us and it was him that was involved for Paquetas goal that was ruled out for Offside. He worked hard asking questions of Leeds defence that kept them honest, won Free Kicks buying the Team time and was much better than Paqueta running around yet again up top like a headless chicken not knowing what to do.

Paqueta also needs to seriously pull his finger out creating for the Team when he's not asked to play up top, his creation in games is shocking and is supposed to be his normal game.

Like I've often said this season, start Wilson as he's the best option we've got right now as our best Striker currently at the Club. And yes that's on Sullivan.

He was better than not playing a striker and yeah better than Marshall, but I don't think he did that much aside from putting himself about as best he could. He was zero threat to them

He was involved in Paquetas goal (even though he is too thick to remain onside) in the 1st half alone having just come on mid-game within 10 minutes. It was night and day compared to the previous 25 minutes that Wilson wasn't on the pitch. He was a right nuisance for Leeds winning Free-kicks and corners amongst stretching their backline. Unfortunately he then had to rely on said Paqueta and Summerville for supplying him the ammo to score but shock, horror neither can manage it as per.

[Sir Alf]

Scorch and others are right, we have problems up fromt in defence but the biggest one last 2 games and for a long, long while, since Rice went, is the central midfield pivot.  The Prem Lge makes athleticism and physicality 2 of the most needed player traits nowadays. Nuno selects 2 of the least equipped players for the role and last Monday selected a 3rd as a sub ( Guido ).  The best suited are Potts, Magassa, Paqueta and Fernandes and if 3 of them are available they start.

 No one can fathom Nuno’s thinking selecting Soucek and Irvine. They are tall, Nuno liked that they are older, ermmm Soucek is an experienced international? Or have Potts, Magassa and Fernandes been on fentanol or the crystal meth before Rush Green training sessions?  There’s no logic to it?   What could possibly be the reason?  

[eusebiovic]

Football management is easy, you basically blow smoke up the players arses and make them feel good about themselves and then, most importantly, you put round pegs in round holes. Simple.

Play 4-3-3, find a centre back who doesn’t mind heading and stick the young boys in midfield to give us more athleticism.

Honestly it’s painfully easy.

 

 

Yep, I would play 4-3-3

At the moment this is the best line-up that I can come up with and even then it's looks pretty bang average.

Areola
Wan-Bissaka Todibo Igor J Diouf 
Potts Magassa Fernandes 
Bowen Wilson Paqueta 
.
Yep, I 'd put the flakey Brazilian in Summerville's position. He does less damage losing the ball further up. Maybe in a slightly retreated left wing position like Formals used to do.

He would be far more creative there and he doesn't mind tracking back - I'll give him that.

We still have a largely shit squad - nothing is gonna change that anytime soon.

Guido, JWP, Irving shouldn't be considered. Soucek on the bench. 3 of those 4 are a huge drain on resources. Who will want them? The same with the centre backs. We're pretty fucked. 

[El Scorchio]

Wilson was ineffective when coming on in to a disaster zone? He instantly put their Keeper and Defence under pressure stretching their defence finally winning corners for us and it was him that was involved for Paquetas goal that was ruled out for Offside. He worked hard asking questions of Leeds defence that kept them honest, won Free Kicks buying the Team time and was much better than Paqueta running around yet again up top like a headless chicken not knowing what to do.

Paqueta also needs to seriously pull his finger out creating for the Team when he's not asked to play up top, his creation in games is shocking and is supposed to be his normal game.

Like I've often said this season, start Wilson as he's the best option we've got right now as our best Striker currently at the Club. And yes that's on Sullivan.

He was better than not playing a striker and yeah better than Marshall, but I don't think he did that much aside from putting himself about as best he could. He was zero threat to them,and that's against one of the shittest sides in the division who let's face it have bang average players so I would label him ineffective. Carrying a 10% threat is better than carrying a 0% threat, but it's still woeful. But as said, not many strikers apart from ones way out of our price range would have been with that midfield behind them. It was always going to be absolute scraps for anyone.

I do think he needs a chance playing ahead of Fernandes Potts and Paqueta to see if there's anything there then, but we need far better than Callum Wilson to get us out of this mess. Far better. The bloke bombed out of Newcastle because he never got a game and had to accept a pay as you play deal with us. That speaks volumes about how miles behind the curve we are. No-one else wanted to give him a proper deal. Even Leeds got a better player with DCL. That's now our main striker- and we can't even guarantee he'll be fit for long anyway.

[El Scorchio]

did he have a shot?

the only positive from last night was Potts, who will probably get 25 mins in the next game now instead of 20




or be played RWB

Yup I have to say Wilson tried, but utterly ineffective as well. issues is that no striker stands a fucking chance when THAT midfield pair is on the pitch. I feel bad for constantly ripping on two good honest pros who clearly gave all they had but it was nowhere near good enough. You cannot defend with them there and you cannot build any attack with them there. Paqueta Bowen and Summerville were having to drop so deep to try and get the ball, It's like neither of Irving or Soucek were even there. Potts and Fernandes were MILES better. MILES. Get those three firing with an understanding and we have a chance to create something for our front three who were chasing shadows all night and making big runs up and down the flank for nothing.

As soon as Fernandes came on he hustled and nicked the ball off one of their players in an advanced position- that hadn't happened all night. the other two couldn't get close to anyone. After being on the pitch for 15 mins, Potts had already half as many touches as Soucek had in 65 minutes. That speaks volumes. We were able to play quick passes and one twos with movement. Were Leeds not already in defensive mode an Summerville and Bowen knackered, I think we'd have been able to get through them without too much trouble. That midfield makes everything better across the whole team.

There's so much evidence to anyone with a functioning brain and a pair of eyes that Soucek and Irving should never, ever be in a game together again or unless everyone else is injured or we are chucking on Soucek as an extra forward to get a goal. So much evidence that the ONLY way forward is Fernandes Potts and Magassa and if Nuno hasn't seen that over the last 180 minutes of football (coupled with this switched full backs nonsense) well then his position becomes untenable because it's crazy to be doing what he is doing. It was crazy on Monday, we all knew it prior to kick off. It was even crazier last night given how it turned out on Monday- not a single person except him thought it was anything other than a shit idea- and if he does it again? It flies in the face of all logic. I'll have to believe it's on purpose and someone at the club with influence does not want us to win matches or stay in the division.

We need to plug away until January on damage limitation with that midfield, hope we can pick up enough points to still be relevant, and then on 2nd January, bring in two centre backs and one if not two strikers who can immediately go into the side and contribute. That's probably the difference between staying up or going down. There can be no dithering over targets or silly games from Sullivan to save money or get a bargain, or an cut price alternative to what the manager wants, no waiting until the end of the month, they need to have a list of targets in mind NOW, be doing groundwork NOW and get deals done as soon as the window opens, if they can find players of the required quality willing to take the gamble of joining us. I believe there's still a way out of this mess if we actually do what's needed to be done. So much of it is so obvious as well.

Agree with most of that, Scorch. But I will add that we probably don't have the money to bring in four or five players in January. Sullivan didn't want to spend that money in late August that he ended up splashing on yet more ineffective midfielders. Potter had already wasted serious cash on a goalkeeper who couldn't catch a cold. Then the twonk chairman put himself in charge of signing more squad fodder.

I imagine we don't have more money. So any January moves would most likely be loans. And that will limit what we can do.

I really don't see much of a way out of this. At best, I can see maybe two expensive loans in January as emergency measures - and maybe one permanent signing. Three January signings is more than we would usually make. And we can't keep signing more players without offloading, or we'll hit PSR etc.

This squad is very, very poor and full of expensive, not very good talent we need to ditch - but will struggle to. It all points in one direction. This is the culmination of years of SulliBall.

 

 

Yes, I fear you're right. Just a proper (not a cheapo unsuited sullivan salthouse special shit) striker on loan would make a real world of difference to how we play. Surely Nuno and Mendes can come up with someone suitable and effective that even the dwarf can't argue with. Mind you, I bet he thinks he knows better than Mendes along with his buddy Salthouse. Many would argue the sliding doors moment passed already, but January is truly the last open crack of the sliding door to try and right this sinking ship. 

[Massive Attack]

Wilson was ineffective when coming on in to a disaster zone? He instantly put their Keeper and Defence under pressure stretching their defence finally winning corners for us and it was him that was involved for Paquetas goal that was ruled out for Offside. He worked hard asking questions of Leeds defence that kept them honest, won Free Kicks buying the Team time and was much better than Paqueta running around yet again up top like a headless chicken not knowing what to do.

Paqueta also needs to seriously pull his finger out creating for the Team when he's not asked to play up top, his creation in games is shocking and is supposed to be his normal game.

Like I've often said this season, start Wilson as he's the best option we've got right now as our best Striker currently at the Club. And yes that's on Sullivan.

[Massive Attack]

Still can't stop laughing at Nunos tactics and selections last night for a 2nd game in a row. Off the scale bonkers!

[Gary Strodders shank]

Wilson needs to be starting every game he can is the only functional striker who does the basics and puts in the hard yards..

There is no quick fix to this and may well run out of road beforehand.

We need someone at the helm who will actually address the issues that we can all see put players in natural positions  and not fuck about with experimental formations.

This lot don't seem to know what their jobs are where they are supposed to be playing or who they should be picking  up.

It's ridiculous 

Football is a simple enough game but we seem to be determined to make it harder than it should be and self destruct into the bargain 

[southbankbornnbred]

Wilson did make a difference when he came on, he should start him in front of the fucking German fraud when he comes back.

did he have a shot?

the only positive from last night was Potts, who will probably get 25 mins in the next game now instead of 20




or be played RWB

Yup I have to say Wilson tried, but utterly ineffective as well. issues is that no striker stands a fucking chance when THAT midfield pair is on the pitch. I feel bad for constantly ripping on two good honest pros who clearly gave all they had but it was nowhere near good enough. You cannot defend with them there and you cannot build any attack with them there. Paqueta Bowen and Summerville were having to drop so deep to try and get the ball, It's like neither of Irving or Soucek were even there. Potts and Fernandes were MILES better. MILES. Get those three firing with an understanding and we have a chance to create something for our front three who were chasing shadows all night and making big runs up and down the flank for nothing.

As soon as Fernandes came on he hustled and nicked the ball off one of their players in an advanced position- that hadn't happened all night. the other two couldn't get close to anyone. After being on the pitch for 15 mins, Potts had already half as many touches as Soucek had in 65 minutes. That speaks volumes. We were able to play quick passes and one twos with movement. Were Leeds not already in defensive mode an Summerville and Bowen knackered, I think we'd have been able to get through them without too much trouble. That midfield makes everything better across the whole team.

There's so much evidence to anyone with a functioning brain and a pair of eyes that Soucek and Irving should never, ever be in a game together again or unless everyone else is injured or we are chucking on Soucek as an extra forward to get a goal. So much evidence that the ONLY way forward is Fernandes Potts and Magassa and if Nuno hasn't seen that over the last 180 minutes of football (coupled with this switched full backs nonsense) well then his position becomes untenable because it's crazy to be doing what he is doing. It was crazy on Monday, we all knew it prior to kick off. It was even crazier last night given how it turned out on Monday- not a single person except him thought it was anything other than a shit idea- and if he does it again? It flies in the face of all logic. I'll have to believe it's on purpose and someone at the club with influence does not want us to win matches or stay in the division.

We need to plug away until January on damage limitation with that midfield, hope we can pick up enough points to still be relevant, and then on 2nd January, bring in two centre backs and one if not two strikers who can immediately go into the side and contribute. That's probably the difference between staying up or going down. There can be no dithering over targets or silly games from Sullivan to save money or get a bargain, or an cut price alternative to what the manager wants, no waiting until the end of the month, they need to have a list of targets in mind NOW, be doing groundwork NOW and get deals done as soon as the window opens, if they can find players of the required quality willing to take the gamble of joining us. I believe there's still a way out of this mess if we actually do what's needed to be done. So much of it is so obvious as well.

Agree with most of that, Scorch. But I will add that we probably don't have the money to bring in four or five players in January. Sullivan didn't want to spend that money in late August that he ended up splashing on yet more ineffective midfielders. Potter had already wasted serious cash on a goalkeeper who couldn't catch a cold. Then the twonk chairman put himself in charge of signing more squad fodder.

I imagine we don't have more money. So any January moves would most likely be loans. And that will limit what we can do.

I really don't see much of a way out of this. At best, I can see maybe two expensive loans in January as emergency measures - and maybe one permanent signing. Three January signings is more than we would usually make. And we can't keep signing more players without offloading, or we'll hit PSR etc.

This squad is very, very poor and full of expensive, not very good talent we need to ditch - but will struggle to. It all points in one direction. This is the culmination of years of SulliBall.

[twoleftfeet]

Hopefully Nuno has already been on the phone to his Portuguese agent mate to start sourcing some talent. 

[El Scorchio]

Wilson did make a difference when he came on, he should start him in front of the fucking German fraud when he comes back.

did he have a shot?

the only positive from last night was Potts, who will probably get 25 mins in the next game now instead of 20




or be played RWB

Yup I have to say Wilson tried, but utterly ineffective as well. issues is that no striker stands a fucking chance when THAT midfield pair is on the pitch. I feel bad for constantly ripping on two good honest pros who clearly gave all they had but it was nowhere near good enough. You cannot defend with them there and you cannot build any attack with them there. Paqueta Bowen and Summerville were having to drop so deep to try and get the ball, It's like neither of Irving or Soucek were even there. Potts and Fernandes were MILES better. MILES. Get those three firing with an understanding and we have a chance to create something for our front three who were chasing shadows all night and making big runs up and down the flank for nothing.

As soon as Fernandes came on he hustled and nicked the ball off one of their players in an advanced position- that hadn't happened all night. the other two couldn't get close to anyone. After being on the pitch for 15 mins, Potts had already half as many touches as Soucek had in 65 minutes. That speaks volumes. We were able to play quick passes and one twos with movement. Were Leeds not already in defensive mode an Summerville and Bowen knackered, I think we'd have been able to get through them without too much trouble. That midfield makes everything better across the whole team.

There's so much evidence to anyone with a functioning brain and a pair of eyes that Soucek and Irving should never, ever be in a game together again or unless everyone else is injured or we are chucking on Soucek as an extra forward to get a goal. So much evidence that the ONLY way forward is Fernandes Potts and Magassa and if Nuno hasn't seen that over the last 180 minutes of football (coupled with this switched full backs nonsense) well then his position becomes untenable because it's crazy to be doing what he is doing. It was crazy on Monday, we all knew it prior to kick off. It was even crazier last night given how it turned out on Monday- not a single person except him thought it was anything other than a shit idea- and if he does it again? It flies in the face of all logic. I'll have to believe it's on purpose and someone at the club with influence does not want us to win matches or stay in the division.

We need to plug away until January on damage limitation with that midfield, hope we can pick up enough points to still be relevant, and then on 2nd January, bring in two centre backs and one if not two strikers who can immediately go into the side and contribute. That's probably the difference between staying up or going down. There can be no dithering over targets or silly games from Sullivan to save money or get a bargain, or an cut price alternative to what the manager wants, no waiting until the end of the month, they need to have a list of targets in mind NOW, be doing groundwork NOW and get deals done as soon as the window opens, if they can find players of the required quality willing to take the gamble of joining us. I believe there's still a way out of this mess if we actually do what's needed to be done. So much of it is so obvious as well.

[Rossal]

Wilson did make a difference when he came on, he should start him in front of the fucking German fraud when he comes back.

did he have a shot?

the only positive from last night was Potts, who will probably get 25 mins in the next game now instead of 20




or be played RWB

[Sweep]

Fulkrug and Mavropanos being injured at the same time is probably giving the manager a headache when it comes to defending corners and free kicks. 

Whatever their failings, those two are tall and can head a ball. Without them its almost dictated that he ends up trying to compensate elsewhere.

I really hope I never see full backs on the wrong side again, and a midfield pairing of Soucek and Irving ever again. 

Think Summerville looked very lightweight and easily dealt with last night in addition to all the other problems.

[El Scorchio]

Wilson did make a difference when he came on, he should start him in front of the fucking German fraud when he comes back.

Don’t worry. He probably tweaked something that means he’s out until Christmas now. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Wilson did make a difference when he came on, he should start him in front of the fucking German fraud when he comes back.

[El Scorchio]

Football management is easy, you basically blow smoke up the players arses and make them feel good about themselves and then, most importantly, you put round pegs in round holes. Simple.

Play 4-3-3, find a centre back who doesn’t mind heading and stick the young boys in midfield to give us more athleticism.

Honestly it’s painfully easy.

It’s not easy, but there are things you can do to make it easier or harder. Nuno seems to have purposely done completely illogical things to make it miles harder in the last week. 

[twoleftfeet]

Football management is easy, you basically blow smoke up the players arses and make them feel good about themselves and then, most importantly, you put round pegs in round holes. Simple.

Play 4-3-3, find a centre back who doesn’t mind heading and stick the young boys in midfield to give us more athleticism.

Honestly it’s painfully easy.

[El Scorchio]

What are the logics of the invert full backs? I don’t get it. I think starting the same players without inverting fill backs could have been ok. I feel most sorry for Scarles, who I don’t think has the experience to be messed about like that and it showed for the 1st  goal.

 

 

I don’t know even what the supposed benefits are meant to be, but what I think is key is that NO-ONE ELSE DOES IT, and there must be a reason for that. It’s not visionary, it’s a poor idea that doesn’t work and it weakens both sides of the team completely unnecessarily. The fact he’s had to abandon it twice at half time in both games suggests how poor a tactic it is. It didn’t even need doing in the first place. Our full backs were not a problem. This is what I don’t understand. Instead of trying something to strengthen our areas of weakness, he’s trying things to weaken any areas of strength we have. 

Im still absolutely flabbergasted that he started Irving and Soucek again. Flabbergasted. I can’t get over it, that a professional manager chose to do that after they’d just got utterly raped by Brentford at home WITH clearly better and faster players just sat on the bench. I bet Farke couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the team sheet. 

[simons]

Got soaked on the walk back in to town after watching that shite. If only Nuno had started with Potts and Fernandes, we had a good chance of winning that. He’s either deliberately being a cսnt, or he’s as useless as our last two managers.

still met up with Pub Bigot, so not all bad. 

[9898]

Reality is Nuno is an arrogant bully who also happens to be a very poor manager.
Player wise? 
Must drop Paqueta. Looked most likely last night but creates so many problems with his selfish attitude of playing entirely for himself and not caring about the team. 
Don't go overboard on Potts. Came on when Leeds were camping on the 18 yard box to preserve the victory so was playing under no pressure which is the opposite to most PL games. 
AWB seems totally disinterested. 
Diouf has potential as a very dangerous attacking full back who can't defend, works in a lot of teams, but needs decent coaching to fulfill any potential which Nuno is incapable of doing. 
Scarles, whether playing left or right back, is an appalling player who would struggle in league one. 
Sumnerville needs serious coaching. Dangerous running with the ball but lacks brains to slow down where appropriate so invariably creates nothing. 
Fernnades should be the attacking midfielder as a Berkovic type player. He has that ability to play those little 15 yard passes to slot in Bowen. 


​​​​​​Loads of the issues but that's a start. 

[Sir Alf]

True Mex that Scarles does not have the experience but as I mentioned in another thread, I also think he doesnt have or will ever have the speed  and physicality / strength to ever be a Prem Lge player. Hopefully Im wrong but thats my take based on minutes he has played this and last season. He’s only 19 I get that so could perhaps develop physically but I just think he will
a tad short of being a regular starter in the PL

[Mex Martillo]

What are the logics of the invert full backs? I don’t get it. I think starting the same players without inverting fill backs could have been ok. I feel most sorry for Scarles, who I don’t think has the experience to be messed about like that and it showed for the 1st  goal.

[Sir Alf]

Soucek and Irvine the central midfield double pivot. The inverted full backs again ( aka players out of position ). No recognised central striker despite having one ( admittedly an injury prone 33 year old but nonetheless a striker).  Yes there are other issues but the above 3 tactical errors were repeated hence the defeat as much on Nuno as the players. Bowen called out the players and us fans calling out Nuno.

Start Potts, Fernandes and Magassa with Potts and Magassa the double pivot every game and pull in Kante and Fearon ( until Jan window at least ) as back up over Soucek and Irvine for those positions. Why do managers getting millions not see the obvious. Is it their egos or a different view of the game somehow pitchside. If so, Nuno needs to get up high in the stands or watch the game on his tablet to see the obvious. 

Paqueta needs to be benched. Let Fernandes take the no 10 position.  Irvine needs to be sold as does Soucek now who is fading fast.  Guido, JWP need to be dumped and, even though he was played out of position, I dont think Scarles is quick enough to make it as a Prem Lge full back. Marshall is not a central forward and at the moment my instinct is that he wont be a Prem Lge level player unfortunately.  

on the subject of the yoofs, only Kante and Fearon currently look like having potential to step up and its only potential no guarantees but I would like them to get some minutes.  I include Orford in this assessment btw. Technically gifted but yet another currently lacking the pace and physicality needed at PL level. Just my opinion

[dealcanvey]

Another absolutely bonkers line up.

Where to start. 

Paqueta, AWB, Summerville, Bowen and Scarles all started the game out of position. 

Kilman and Todibo. 75 million down the drain. 

Potts and Fernandes over Irving and Soucek all day. Irving is the better player (with the ball) out of the two but both are simply too slow. 

Relegation beckons. 

[Tomshardware]

It's going to take a massive turnaround for us to climb out of the situation we're in.   I can't see where the next points are coming from.   Conceding 2 or 3 soft goals a game, teams smell blood before the kick off.