West Ham vs Brentford | PL | 20.10.25 | Predictions and Match Thread

[stubbo-admin]

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Match Centre: 

 Odds: 
WHU: 8/5
Draw: 5/2
Arsenal: 19/10

 Pre-Match Press Conference: 
Official Site

 Match Preview: 
Analytics United 

 Watch-along:
Hammers Chat


Streams:

Sport+

 If there above doesn't work go look for a Stream from the sites listed here!

https://champagne.pages.dev/docs/gettin ... ive-sports
 

(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).
 

----------------------------------------------------------

It will have been 16 days since we saw what football at the top end of things could look like by Arsenal, who made us look second class citizens in footballing terms.

This game is unusual this season, in so far as the bookies have us down as favourites to win.  Monday nigth, under the lights....but how empty will the bowl be.  With a boycott planned, kids for a quid, general sale tickets up for cheap, and Nuno's first home game, the atmosphere and attendance is anyone's guess.

Injuries wise, our Big Fucking German is big fucking injured again...reducing the options up front to the two Callum's.  Nuno chose to save ~86k in wages last time out, preferring the pace and mobility of Marshall over Wilson, and it will be interesting to see if he does the same thing here, or goes for a 'makeshift' centreforward.  And of course Soucek is back.

Other than that, there are no fresh concerns reported going into the weekend.

Predicted Starting Lineup:

Areola

Wan Bissaka   Mavropanos    Kilman    Diouf

Magassa

Fernandes             Soucek       Paqueta       Summerville

Bowen (c)

Subs: Hermansen, KWP, Igor, Potts, Guilherme, Marshall, Rodriguez, Wilson, Scarles

Predicted Score: 1-0 (Soucek)

COYI

 

 

[southbankbornnbred]

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Match Centre: 

 Odds: 
WHU: 8/5
Draw: 5/2
Arsenal: 19/10

 Pre-Match Press Conference: 
Official Site

 Match Preview: 
Analytics United 

 Watch-along:
Hammers Chat


Streams:

Sport+

 If there above doesn't work go look for a Stream from the sites listed here!

https://champagne.pages.dev/docs/gettin ... ive-sports
 

(With all live streams be mindful they can carry viruses etc.  Don't click on any ads and use a VPN).
 

----------------------------------------------------------

It will have been 16 days since we saw what football at the top end of things could look like by Arsenal, who made us look second class citizens in footballing terms.

This game is unusual this season, in so far as the bookies have us down as favourites to win.  Monday nigth, under the lights....but how empty will the bowl be.  With a boycott planned, kids for a quid, general sale tickets up for cheap, and Nuno's first home game, the atmosphere and attendance is anyone's guess.

Injuries wise, our Big Fucking German is big fucking injured again...reducing the options up front to the two Callum's.  Nuno chose to save ~86k in wages last time out, preferring the pace and mobility of Marshall over Wilson, and it will be interesting to see if he does the same thing here, or goes for a 'makeshift' centreforward.  And of course Soucek is back.

Other than that, there are no fresh concerns reported going into the weekend.

Predicted Starting Lineup:

Areola

Wan Bissaka   Mavropanos    Kilman    Diouf

Magassa

Fernandes             Soucek       Paqueta       Summerville

Bowen (c)

Subs: Hermansen, KWP, Igor, Potts, Guilherme, Marshall, Rodriguez, Wilson, Scarles

Predicted Score: 1-0 (Soucek)

COYI

 

 

I should also add quickly: I'm not well-connected with people at West Ham these days and don't consider myself to be an "ITK". I know a few people who work for the club, but I'm just a fan. Many other people on this board probably know a lot more.

Years ago, I knew some of the senior coaching staff. But they have long moved on. And with them went my contacts!

[El Scorchio]

Where is our Busquets?? Our Yaya Toure? The midfield general that teams are scared of?

 

Our owner whored him out on 8th June 2023 to all comers, then wrapped him in a bow and waited for Arsenal to take him off our hands. That's where. 

[Mad Ferret]

Where is our Busquets?? Our Yaya Toure? The midfield general that teams are scared of?

 

Yeah and where is our Lionel Messi up front.

[southbankbornnbred]

Did the coach say anything else similarly revealing that you can mention here without dropping them in it? Would be very interested to know.

One of my big issues is we spent on Fernandes, and we aren't even playing him in his best position, like the other 40 million quid midfielder we've got. We're not playing them to their strengths which is crazy. I'm sure he's willing to 'do a job' for the benefit of other players but FFS he's not one to be in a more advanced role ahead of Irving and Soucek. He needs to be in one of those two positions.

 

Have to be a tiny bit careful, Scorch, as I'm not in the habit of exposing sources (don't really have many football sources, as I've not reported on the playing side of the sport for more than 25 years: I know this source for other reasons).

But this chat was around late June/early July (from memory) and the coach in question said many of the issues with the team and squad were "glaring" problems that needed rectifying over the summer. But my reading of the chat (which mostly focused on other things) was that there was still confusion about who was in full control of transfers. The coaches didn't seem to know, it all lacked clarity. And we know that played out, with Sullivan going above everybody's head and putting himself in charge by the end of the summer.

There has also been concern, for a while, including last season, that this is not a particularly fit squad of players compared with other teams. The hint was that Potter felt he inherited an unfit squad from Loppy, but didn't/couldn't put that right quickly. And we saw that again last night. Several of our players were gassed after 60 minutes.

Cheers! Of course. Much appreciated that you shared what you could. It would be wholly unfair to drop someone in it for something said in confidence so fully understood.

Very interesting and I guess confirms what we all really suspect anyway. Criminal that the coaches didn't know who was running transfers or there was no clarity. Astonishing for a PL club in 2026 when you look at how the others are almost all run like big businesses with a clear leadership structure and matrix of responsibility and accountability for everyone, and we are run like a market stall in comparison, although that's probably insulting to anyone who owns a market stall, with zero transparency even to the employees.
You have to ask what hope any manager even has, working like this.

The fitness issue is also very concerning- how can it not be fixed? Professional footballers ARE capable of being fit. These men are all in their 20s and 30s. Is it just a lack of willing on their part? Are we that dysfunctional where players simply won't do what the managers ask of them? I'm wondering if that's why Emerson, Alvarez, Aguerd were shipped out for being malevolent influences. Todibo seems to be clearly not putting the required work in either. This is probably even more troubling than the transfer scenario above, if there's such a poor culture at the club where certain players are just refusing to get themselves to the required fitness level. Because then we truly are fucked whatever manager comes in and whatever they try to do. We don't have the luxury of being able to drop a bunch of players. I hope it was just a weakness in Potter that Nuno will be able to rectify. Sounds like we really need to bring in a couple of very high character and influential players to set an example for the rest. Sad to say it but someone like Henderson. Someone to tell the players this isn't fucking good enough.

 

 

I agree with all of that. For clarity, there was genuine confusion about responsibility for transfers. Who exactly is responsible at what point? This was the post-Steidten era, and it wasn't clear who picked up all of his roles. It's possible that has since been rectified. Sullivan seemingly has taken it upon himself.

On the fitness side, my reading of that short conversation was that Potter felt the players were not as fit as he'd like them to have been, and wondered why. Questions were asked about the work done in pre-season last year (2024). And the impression I got was that Potter and his new team, when they came in (Jan 25), felt we were too far into the season to put in the necessary heavy fitness work to get the team to full capacity. I guess that, with games coming thick and fast, there was not enough space in the training/playing schedule for players to do the gut-busting work because they'd then be heavy-legged for matches.

But. I don't rate Potter as a coach, so some of that might have been him making excuses to other staff. Who knows?

There was a general sense of confusion about the place, though. That much was clear. This coach described the "revolving door" creating ongoing uncertainty.

[threesixty]

To me, football will always be about the midfield.  Yes there is lots of action at the other ends and thats all great, but games are won and great teams are built from the midfield. Your best players should be there. It’s where you spend your money if you are rebuilding your team. And for whatever reason every manager we’ve had just doesnt care about it. Moyes luckily had Rice but when it comes to his choices outside of that, total crap really. 

Even looking at Henderson vs whatever we had in CM.. just a different party.
We haven’t got a serious midfielder at the club who is game changer or match winner. Nowhere in this 100’s of millions of pounds worth of players is their one. It’s shocking really. Where is our Busquets?? Our Yaya Toure? The midfield general that teams are scared of?

I think Nuno is going to have to convert someone tbh. AWB maybe? 
We need a boss in that position to really progress.

[El Scorchio]

The midfield problems reflect the stunning ineptitude of this board and previous managers.

Everybody, right down to your nan, was yelling at the club to bring in some pace and legs in central midfield over the summer (throughout last season, really). Other managers said it, pundits said it, fans said it, coaches at the club said it privately (I know this because I spoke to one).

What did they do?

They brought in, expensively, Fernandes and Magassa. Neither of whom look especially quick or mobile.

I’m not going to slag them off, because both are still finding their feet at West Ham - and both might have other strengths over time. Fernandes does have good technical ability, for example. Maybe pace is not their thing. Good luck to them. But, from what we’ve seen so far, there are already doubts that they are the solution to the actual problem we had: a clear lack of pace and ability to cover ground quickly.

Right now, they’ve just joined the large stock of slow or bang average (speed wise) CMs that we already had in Alvarez (now gone), JWP, Soucek, Irving, Paqueta and Rodriguez.

Watching that midfield last night was like watching blokes wade through treacle. Early days, of course, but I still don’t know what sort of player we’re watching with Fernandes. I hope he comes good.

Do we even scout players these days? If so, how? And who does it? How do we assess players against the needs of the team?

Did the coach say anything else similarly revealing that you can mention here without dropping them in it? Would be very interested to know.

One of my big issues is we spent on Fernandes, and we aren't even playing him in his best position, like the other 40 million quid midfielder we've got. We're not playing them to their strengths which is crazy. I'm sure he's willing to 'do a job' for the benefit of other players but FFS he's not one to be in a more advanced role ahead of Irving and Soucek. He needs to be in one of those two positions.

 

Have to be a tiny bit careful, Scorch, as I'm not in the habit of exposing sources (don't really have many football sources, as I've not reported on the playing side of the sport for more than 25 years: I know this source for other reasons).

But this chat was around late June/early July (from memory) and the coach in question said many of the issues with the team and squad were "glaring" problems that needed rectifying over the summer. But my reading of the chat (which mostly focused on other things) was that there was still confusion about who was in full control of transfers. The coaches didn't seem to know, it all lacked clarity. And we know that played out, with Sullivan going above everybody's head and putting himself in charge by the end of the summer.

There has also been concern, for a while, including last season, that this is not a particularly fit squad of players compared with other teams. The hint was that Potter felt he inherited an unfit squad from Loppy, but didn't/couldn't put that right quickly. And we saw that again last night. Several of our players were gassed after 60 minutes.

Cheers! Of course. Much appreciated that you shared what you could. It would be wholly unfair to drop someone in it for something said in confidence so fully understood.

Very interesting and I guess confirms what we all really suspect anyway. Criminal that the coaches didn't know who was running transfers or there was no clarity. Astonishing for a PL club in 2026 when you look at how the others are almost all run like big businesses with a clear leadership structure and matrix of responsibility and accountability for everyone, and we are run like a market stall in comparison, although that's probably insulting to anyone who owns a market stall, with zero transparency even to the employees.
You have to ask what hope any manager even has, working like this.

The fitness issue is also very concerning- how can it not be fixed? Professional footballers ARE capable of being fit. These men are all in their 20s and 30s. Is it just a lack of willing on their part? Are we that dysfunctional where players simply won't do what the managers ask of them? I'm wondering if that's why Emerson, Alvarez, Aguerd were shipped out for being malevolent influences. Todibo seems to be clearly not putting the required work in either. This is probably even more troubling than the transfer scenario above, if there's such a poor culture at the club where certain players are just refusing to get themselves to the required fitness level. Because then we truly are fucked whatever manager comes in and whatever they try to do. We don't have the luxury of being able to drop a bunch of players. I hope it was just a weakness in Potter that Nuno will be able to rectify. Sounds like we really need to bring in a couple of very high character and influential players to set an example for the rest. Sad to say it but someone like Henderson. Someone to tell the players this isn't fucking good enough.

[Council Scum]

The anger I still have for letting Fornals leave still burns deep inside me.

I've got a Fornals Signature picture and the team all signed if you want it. Can send a picture, got given it. Just need a small donation to Baton of Hope. 

[Keep dreaming]

The changes I would make for the Leeds game are.   
AWB 
Diouf 
Igor 
Magassa
Potts
Fernandes
Wilson

Bench Paq as he has been shit for the best part of two years
Todibo is just plain lazy and Shit

I’m going to say it: Igor is really poor.

He is not a solution. There’s a reason he was Brighton’s 5th choice CB at times.

Brightons 5th choice sound good to me

[southbankbornnbred]

The midfield problems reflect the stunning ineptitude of this board and previous managers.

Everybody, right down to your nan, was yelling at the club to bring in some pace and legs in central midfield over the summer (throughout last season, really). Other managers said it, pundits said it, fans said it, coaches at the club said it privately (I know this because I spoke to one).

What did they do?

They brought in, expensively, Fernandes and Magassa. Neither of whom look especially quick or mobile.

I’m not going to slag them off, because both are still finding their feet at West Ham - and both might have other strengths over time. Fernandes does have good technical ability, for example. Maybe pace is not their thing. Good luck to them. But, from what we’ve seen so far, there are already doubts that they are the solution to the actual problem we had: a clear lack of pace and ability to cover ground quickly.

Right now, they’ve just joined the large stock of slow or bang average (speed wise) CMs that we already had in Alvarez (now gone), JWP, Soucek, Irving, Paqueta and Rodriguez.

Watching that midfield last night was like watching blokes wade through treacle. Early days, of course, but I still don’t know what sort of player we’re watching with Fernandes. I hope he comes good.

Do we even scout players these days? If so, how? And who does it? How do we assess players against the needs of the team?

Did the coach say anything else similarly revealing that you can mention here without dropping them in it? Would be very interested to know.

One of my big issues is we spent on Fernandes, and we aren't even playing him in his best position, like the other 40 million quid midfielder we've got. We're not playing them to their strengths which is crazy. I'm sure he's willing to 'do a job' for the benefit of other players but FFS he's not one to be in a more advanced role ahead of Irving and Soucek. He needs to be in one of those two positions.

 

 

Have to be a tiny bit careful, Scorch, as I'm not in the habit of exposing sources (don't really have many football sources, as I've not reported on the playing side of the sport for more than 25 years: I know this source for other reasons).

But this chat was around late June/early July (from memory) and the coach in question said many of the issues with the team and squad were "glaring" problems that needed rectifying over the summer. But my reading of the chat (which mostly focused on other things) was that there was still confusion about who was in full control of transfers. The coaches didn't seem to know, it all lacked clarity. And we know that played out, with Sullivan going above everybody's head and putting himself in charge by the end of the summer.

There has also been concern, for a while, including last season, that this is not a particularly fit squad of players compared with other teams. The hint was that Potter felt he inherited an unfit squad from Loppy, but didn't/couldn't put that right quickly. And we saw that again last night. Several of our players were gassed after 60 minutes.

[zico]

Other big problem we have is a total lack of any leaders.  Bowen, as good as he is isn't a Captain.  In the past I am sure a Billy Bonds, Alvin Martin, Dicksy or even Kevin Nolan would have had a few up against a wall if they weren't giving it their all.  Parker and Noble would have probably given them a word or two.  It started when Dec took over as Captain.  He would be fine now but was still raw then and it obviously wasn't easy with Nobes looking over your shoulder.  I am sure Bowen is great with all the behind the scenes stuff, but he isn't a leader on the pitch.  In fact I can't really see one out there, nothing, no voices at all.  Even Soucek doesn't say much.  

[El Scorchio]

The midfield problems reflect the stunning ineptitude of this board and previous managers.

Everybody, right down to your nan, was yelling at the club to bring in some pace and legs in central midfield over the summer (throughout last season, really). Other managers said it, pundits said it, fans said it, coaches at the club said it privately (I know this because I spoke to one).

What did they do?

They brought in, expensively, Fernandes and Magassa. Neither of whom look especially quick or mobile.

I’m not going to slag them off, because both are still finding their feet at West Ham - and both might have other strengths over time. Fernandes does have good technical ability, for example. Maybe pace is not their thing. Good luck to them. But, from what we’ve seen so far, there are already doubts that they are the solution to the actual problem we had: a clear lack of pace and ability to cover ground quickly.

Right now, they’ve just joined the large stock of slow or bang average (speed wise) CMs that we already had in Alvarez (now gone), JWP, Soucek, Irving, Paqueta and Rodriguez.

Watching that midfield last night was like watching blokes wade through treacle. Early days, of course, but I still don’t know what sort of player we’re watching with Fernandes. I hope he comes good.

Do we even scout players these days? If so, how? And who does it? How do we assess players against the needs of the team?

Did the coach say anything else similarly revealing that you can mention here without dropping them in it? Would be very interested to know.

One of my big issues is we spent on Fernandes, and we aren't even playing him in his best position, like the other 40 million quid midfielder we've got. We're not playing them to their strengths which is crazy. I'm sure he's willing to 'do a job' for the benefit of other players but FFS he's not one to be in a more advanced role ahead of Irving and Soucek. He needs to be in one of those two positions.

[southbankbornnbred]

The changes I would make for the Leeds game are.   
AWB 
Diouf 
Igor 
Magassa
Potts
Fernandes
Wilson

Bench Paq as he has been shit for the best part of two years
Todibo is just plain lazy and Shit

I’m going to say it: Igor is really poor.

He is not a solution. There’s a reason he was Brighton’s 5th choice CB at times.

[southbankbornnbred]

The midfield problems reflect the stunning ineptitude of this board and previous managers.

Everybody, right down to your nan, was yelling at the club to bring in some pace and legs in central midfield over the summer (throughout last season, really). Other managers said it, pundits said it, fans said it, coaches at the club said it privately (I know this because I spoke to one).

What did they do?

They brought in, expensively, Fernandes and Magassa. Neither of whom look especially quick or mobile.

I’m not going to slag them off, because both are still finding their feet at West Ham - and both might have other strengths over time. Fernandes does have good technical ability, for example. Maybe pace is not their thing. Good luck to them. But, from what we’ve seen so far, there are already doubts that they are the solution to the actual problem we had: a clear lack of pace and ability to cover ground quickly.

Right now, they’ve just joined the large stock of slow or bang average (speed wise) CMs that we already had in Alvarez (now gone), JWP, Soucek, Irving, Paqueta and Rodriguez.

Watching that midfield last night was like watching blokes wade through treacle. Early days, of course, but I still don’t know what sort of player we’re watching with Fernandes. I hope he comes good.

Do we even scout players these days? If so, how? And who does it? How do we assess players against the needs of the team?

[gpike]

The changes I would make for the Leeds game are.   
AWB 
Diouf 
Igor 
Magassa
Potts
Fernandes
Wilson

Bench Paq as he has been shit for the best part of two years
Todibo is just plain lazy and Shit

[Sir Alf]

CBs highlighted as the biggest issue. They werent great for sure but the central midfield was the source of why we couldnt compete. Zero athleticism and pace, no physicality. We dont really have that profile of player in the squad and only ever had Rice who us like 2 players and masked a lot of issues.  

Nuno completely misunderstanding our weaknesses. The 3 coaches we promoted to the first team? Surely they can see the lack of athleticism / pace all over the park and especially midfield. Magassa is not that quick, Potts isnt either, Paqueta slow but at least is strong on the ball physically and they are our athletes. Add to that no fight.  Nuno talks about finding solutions. We dont have any convincing ones for central striker and the midfield 3 above are our best options to start every game. We repeat ad infinitum that recruitment and overall running of the club has led us to this point and its been signposted since 2022

[Fauxstralian]

Think the final straw was Rodriguez coming on for Soucek with Potts & Magassa on the bench
Boos all round the ground with that call
 

[Tomshardware]

Irving isn’t even close to being a Premier League player. I know he’s a bit of a cult figure, and we wanted him to do well. But he’s just not good enough at this level. How he started last night above Potts is beyond me.

He’d be a good buy for a Championship club. Or Rangers in that C league.

Rangers is actually an excellent shout. His level and type of good character they could do with right now.

Due to complete ineptitude of those running the club in every capacity we don't actually know if he's up to it.  A player who's played more games in Austrian league then gets thrown in here and there to start Premier league games.  If the club had any sort of planning he would have least have been looked to be loaned to a Premier league team in the last couple of seasons.  Even if it was a newly promoted side then he would have had to Prem games under his belt. 

Agree he doesn't look up to it but the way his West Ham career is completely sums up the shambles of how we recruit players.   

[El Scorchio]

I would have kept him on but I did think he was poor 1st half. 1 time in a very promising position in their final third he gifts the ball to them leading to a dangerous attack by Brentford. Things like that might have crossed Nunos mind.

 

He was, but was he much poorer than anyone else really? I also would have definitely kept him on, on the face of it. He did have a couple of 'moments', for sure, but so did Paqueta and he wasn't hooked. It's worrying to hook your 40 million midfielder before you hook other players unless there was an eye on Friday or an injury concern. I also think he was playing too advanced as well. Think it would be more sensible to have him in one of the positions occupied by Soucek and Irving. I don't really understand why Irving, with all respect to him, was starting the game TBH. It was the old trap of not trusting any of your strikers and then forcing loads of other players out of position because of it. 

What fascinates me is that Wilson is now becoming a better player in some people's eyes purely through not playing. 

 

Not true in my case. I always rated him as decent Premier League Striker. What bothered me though was having to resort to him with his legs more gone thesee days due to age and being injury prone. His ability was never in question. I was banging on about replacing the carthorse for Wilson and then lo and behold he gets hauled off ineffective against Forest and scores within minutes. We shouldn't be relying on cheap desperate late signings like him though now we moved in to a "World class Stadium" fit for a "World class Team" ... She still fucning here by the way the shameless shitcunt??

 

 

 

 

My feeling is he WAS good, but obviously if he's having to come to us on a virtual pay as you play deal, then there's not a lot of interest in his services from anyone apart from the old fucking mug in a glittery blazer. I bet no-one else would have taken him and he'd have ended up in Saudi or the Championship. That's where he will go when his contract is up with us. Not even a promoted team was interested. 
I agree a club like us shouldn't have even been in the conversation for him at this point in his career. Maybe 3-4 years ago. 
We might as well give him a start in one of the upcoming games just to see unless the bingo caller has vetoed it. If we do though, I think he'll look just as lost, off the pace and dogshit as Fullkrug. He was pretty fortunate to come on against a team in absolute disarray in Forest- worryingly managed by the bloke now in charge of us....

[southbankbornnbred]

Irving isn’t even close to being a Premier League player. I know he’s a bit of a cult figure, and we wanted him to do well. But he’s just not good enough at this level. How he started last night above Potts is beyond me.

 

Potts being overlooked by yet another manager.

Can't all be wrong, can they?

Given the poor quality of our last few (previously unemployed) managers, yes, they could all be wrong.

I’m not saying they are all wrong. But the way we select managers DOES mean it’s possible. Lopetegui and Potter - two-thirds of your equation - we’re both utterly hopeless.

[Forest Gate Ugly]

I suppose like any relationship that’s irredeemably fucked you have to stop caring and move on. It’s hard though. We had some times me and West Ham. I

[Mad Ferret]

Irving isn’t even close to being a Premier League player. I know he’s a bit of a cult figure, and we wanted him to do well. But he’s just not good enough at this level. How he started last night above Potts is beyond me.
 

Potts being overlooked by yet another manager.

Can't all be wrong, can they?

[Massive Attack]

Irving isn’t even close to being a Premier League player. I know he’s a bit of a cult figure, and we wanted him to do well. But he’s just not good enough at this level. How he started last night above Potts is beyond me.

He’d be a good buy for a Championship club. Or Rangers in that C league.

Rangers is actually an excellent shout. His level and type of good character they could do with right now.

[southbankbornnbred]

Irving isn’t even close to being a Premier League player. I know he’s a bit of a cult figure, and we wanted him to do well. But he’s just not good enough at this level. How he started last night above Potts is beyond me.

He’d be a good buy for a Championship club. Or Rangers in that C league.

[El Scorchio]

I wouldn't have hooked him no. Paqueta, Irving, Scarles, Walker-Peters for Wilson, Potts, Wan-Bissaka and Diouf would have been my choices at Half Time. But then I wouldn't have gone with that moronic line-up to begin with either.

 

 

Agree. I was heartened when I heard we were making three changes at HT, assuming at least it would be a realisation a far too 'avant garde' starting XI really hadn't worked and major changes to the midfield and a striker coming on, but the changes were just batshit. 
No offence to Irving but he's no business remaining on while Fernandes gets hooked. We ended up with an utter makeshift random shambles of players/formation for the last 20 mins. It was nonsense to expect to equalise or even compete like that. 

[Massive Attack]

Unless he was injured, it was bizarre taking Fernandes off. Bizarreness in a sea of bizarre decisions.

I would have kept him on but I did think he was poor 1st half. 1 time in a very promising position in their final third he gifts the ball to them leading to a dangerous attack by Brentford. Things like that might have crossed Nunos mind.

 

He was, but was he much poorer than anyone else really? I also would have definitely kept him on, on the face of it. He did have a couple of 'moments', for sure, but so did Paqueta and he wasn't hooked. It's worrying to hook your 40 million midfielder before you hook other players unless there was an eye on Friday or an injury concern. I also think he was playing too advanced as well. Think it would be more sensible to have him in one of the positions occupied by Soucek and Irving. I don't really understand why Irving, with all respect to him, was starting the game TBH. It was the old trap of not trusting any of your strikers and then forcing loads of other players out of position because of it. 

What fascinates me is that Wilson is now becoming a better player in some people's eyes purely through not playing. 

 

 

Not true in my case. I always rated him as decent Premier League Striker. What bothered me though was having to resort to him with his legs more gone thesee days due to age and being injury prone. His ability was never in question. I was banging on about replacing the carthorse for Wilson and then lo and behold he gets hauled off ineffective against Forest and scores within minutes. We shouldn't be relying on cheap desperate late signings like him though now we moved in to a "World class Stadium" fit for a "World class Team" ... She still fucning here by the way the shameless shitcunt??