Nuno Espirito Santo has been talking ahead of Sunday’s match against Newcastle United.
A game that most people see as a must win for West Ham if they are to stand a realistic chance of dodging relegation and sending Spurs down instead.
Nuno Espirito Santo revealing at his pre-match press conference that one player definitely misses the match.
The West Ham boss stating: “Adama Traore is out for this game. It’s a muscular thing, he wasn’t available for the match against Arsenal, he’s recovering and is going to be short for this one.”
However, good news otherwise.
Nuno Espirito Santo adding: “The rest of the squad is good and they are all options. We will decide the team and we will look to compete well.”
The Hammers’ manager on having to face Newcastle United away in this key match: “Every game is a new game. I believe you keep your approach and the values the same from the first round to the last round. Everything is going to be decided by the two rounds. If I give a rousing speech in the first round, I will give it in the last round as well. It will be the same.”
Asked about the mental aspect of this St James’ Park game.
Nuno Espirito Santo: “We knew some while ago that the relegation battle will be decided now in the last games. Our job is to focus and prepare our players and get them ready for Sunday. That is our priority. We are ready, we are positive and we believe. Every game is a must win and nothing has changed. The importance of the points is the same. I hope the players stay focused, do their task and ignore the outside noise. What I try to give our players is confidence.”
Nuno Espirito Santo asked if Callum Wilson will be given more of a chance in this match against his old club: “I will decide tomorrow, for the team.”
West Ham put in a complaint about their late equaliser getting disallowed in the Arsenal defeat.
Nuno Espirito Santo asked about that and replying: “We tried to find some answers with things we are concerned about. I suppose we as Premier League clubs all compare similar situations and this is why we need consistency. I don’t have time to think about the changes and finding solutions is not my problem. The referees must understand the needs of solving this doubt. I believe the Premier League and the referees will solve it. The job of the referees is really hard and difficult. VAR was supposed to help the referees. Is it helping? Is it creating more questions? I believe they can do better.”