Forum | Non-Football Related

Spurs: Vicario, Xavi, Tel, Gray, Romero (C), Gallagher, Pedro Porro, Odobert, Davies, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani
Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Bissouma, Udogie, Bergvall, Solanke, Spence, Scarlett

West Ham: Areola. Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Soucek, Scarles, Fernandes, Summerville, Bowen (C), Pablo, Taty
Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Igot, Potts, Wilson, Rodriguez, Kante, Mayers

For those who have lived under a rock for the past 24 hours, you wouldn’t have seen that West Ham have made an addition towards Nuno’s back room staff and have hired Paco Jemez as a first-team coach. Despite this initially seeming like a manager announcement, I can confirm that Nuno remains in charge.

But who is Paco? Could he make or break the struggling Hammers? Not only does he look like Nuno’s doppelgänger, but he’s an absolute ‘nutter’, and he screams ‘West Ham’. In his long career, he’s managed an array of clubs and has always stuck to his principles wherever he goes, despises defensive football, loves to maintain the ball and he wants his team to fight. It’s a very radical style towards Nuno, but it certainly could provide a twist in the picture.

His time across Spain earned him many warranted comments as well as negative criticism, for example his brief spell in Granada saw him be sacked after a stint of just 6 games, but in his other jobs, he was described hailed in compliments from Pep due to the way he played, as well as earning the nickname of ‘Mini Barcelona’ due to his playing style that he embraces. He was praised for the way his teams played de tú a tú: as equals.

He, as manager of Rayo Vallecano, managed one of the poorest teams in the league, a side that annually earned £7,000,000 at the time, to which he said, "If, as well as being small, you're a coward, you're going to get a beating from all sides”

He’s a previous manager who hasn’t played to the strength of his squad, but has more provided his players with the belief that they can win his way.

This appointment seems as if it could make the dressing room. Fans would be able to research and come to their own conclusion, but he looks like a nutter who’d trash the dressing room if he had to. He’s a very passionate manager who just wants his players to die for the club regardless of the scoreline.

Whilst his ideas are completely contrasting to Nuno’s, it’s not a surprise that he’s been hired, Nuno does actively like to have differing staff members - LN.

Lucas Paqueta has officially halted. The Brazilian’s toys are all out of the pram, and he’s having a paddy. He formally spoke to the club and proclaimed that he will not get off his high horse and indeed now is the time he wishes to depart from the Hammers, though he may not be granted his late wishes.

Nuno Espírito Santo is very keen to keep Paqueta for the remainder of the season and he believes that he‘s one of the staple pieces of the team, however, Sulky Sully’s eyes have been lighting up at the glistening figure Flamengo have offered the Hammers, €40,000,000, which West Ham are considering.

Flamengo offered €35,000,000 yesterday, but the Hammers informed the side that they'd have to pay more for the deal to be considered and therefore, it was rejected.

The Brazilian, who’s been nicknamed ‘Paqman’ by many, has seemingly wanted a return to his home in Brazil ever since the betting allegations had been concluded. He felt that his time in England had been nothing short of miserable and chaotic, which has ultimately been a key factor in this abrupt ending to a chapter.

West Ham are seriously considering selling Paqueta as it would be one of the last opportunities to receive a good sum of money for the attacking midfielder, but on the other hand, it could be slightly ludicrous and a ‘kamikaze’ decision to sell a significant asset mid relegation fight!

There were a few lingering rumours that Spurs were interested in Paqueta, which did prove to be true, but the Brazilian swiftly declined and made it clear that he wants to return to Brazil, not continue his chapter in England elsewhere.

Personal terms have already been agreed between the Brazilian and Flamengo, with both parties attempting to place pressure on West Ham to conclude a deal sooner rather than later.

It remains unknown whether the €40,000,000 on the table is enough to convince West Ham, but the hand is there if it wants to be fed…the only question that remains is whether the already fed hand will share its food with the others? - LN

The Hammers have found victory at last! After 10 unsuccessful fixtures, a win against QPR had been achieved but Nuno’s side always seems to make the job harder for themselves, a result that should’ve been concluded in the 90 minutes, but an extra 30 was needed to get it over the line.

A bore draw first half, the first 10 minutes were spent staring at the back of hoods after West Ham faced ticket issues and thousands of fans struggled to scan their withered paper tickets. However, upon entry to the bowl, the fans put out a half hearted attempted of the red card protest in the 15th minute, which seemed muted as the QPR fans in the home end unsurprisingly weren’t too keen to join in.

Stumbling upon a dismal entry and a muted set of fans, woes worsened as one of Nuno’s already limited choice of defenders shortened further. Konstantinos Mavropanos was taken off on a stretcher after suffering a suspected head injury, grim sights. Nuno Espírito Santo is now left with Kilman and Todibo heading into Spurs, perhaps it’ll prompt the club to sign a defender, but beggars can’t be choosers…

Summerville sparked moment gave us the lead after he converted Soungatou Magassa’s pass, but the Frenchman looked beyond poor for the entirety of the match before being hooked off, a night to forget.

Despite the opposition being in the Championship, a lead at halftime can only mean that it’s inevitable in the second half for the Hammers to concede, and that we did in the 65th minute. 1-1 and looked out the game, QPR causing Nuno’s side to make reckless challenges, earning the Hammers 3 yellows in 8 minutes.

To discuss the remaining 25 minutes would be a waste of words, a handful of controlled passes and everything you’d anticipate to see from a Nuno side with a few long balls over the top, showing glimpses of the game against Brighton.

This null action unavoidably led the Hammers to become the third Premier League side to go to extra time in the FA Cup Third Round.

A quick beginning and Nuno’s side seemed fresh, Scarles and Walker-Peterd came on and bolstered the Hammers energy levels, a ball to Summerville, which was controlled with perfection, saw him lace a ball into Taty, who converted the header making it 2-1 before the end of the first half in extra time.

Taty Castellenos’ first goal for the Hammers ended up being the winner and despite fighting back the first time, QPR couldn’t manage a second, meaning the Hammers move on to Round Four.

Whilst the Hammers have only managed victory against a lower league side, it’s a game where confidence has to be taken from, and individually, Summerville was the danger man tonight. Whilst the defenders he was going around might not have been of the same quality, his end product today proved crucial twice, something he’s not been able to nail recently.

Nuno’s side will now move into Round Four of the FA Cup and will be ball number 10. The draw is set to take place before the Liverpool vs Barnsley match tomorrow. - LN