Benjamin Booker
Following the buzz of Callum Wilson’s late heroics at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Nuno Espírito Santo sat down with the media yesterday to look ahead to Saturday’s huge clash with Sunderland.
With the January transfer window entering its final stretch and West Ham battling for every point in the fight to escape the bottom three, there was plenty on the agenda. Here’s the key takeaways from the manager’s latest press conference.
The win over Spurs wasn’t just three points — it felt like a genuine momentum shift. Nuno spoke openly about the emotional lift that last‑minute winner gave both the players and the supporters.
“It means a lot for our fans… It’s special to do it in the last moments of the game, because we have been on the other side of that many times this season.”
He likened the club’s situation to steering a “super‑tanker” that is finally beginning to turn. The message from the manager was unmistakable: belief is returning to East London.
West Ham also confirmed the loan signing of 22‑year‑old Venezuelan winger Keiber Lamadrid from Deportivo La Guaira. Supporters may need to be patient, though. With the Venezuelan season ending in December, Lamadrid arrives effectively in “pre‑season” condition. Nuno explained that he’ll start with the development squad to rebuild sharpness before being eased into first‑team contention.
The uncertainty around Lucas Paquetá continues to cast a shadow. Officially, he’s out with a back injury. Unofficially, Nuno’s tone suggested his future is just as much of a factor as his fitness.“We hope the club and Lucas can find a solution… My job is to get the best out of the players,”
he said. With Flamengo still circling, it’s starting to feel like we may have already seen Paquetá’s final moments in a West Ham shirt.
Transfer rumours have also swirled around Callum Wilson and James Ward‑Prowse, but Nuno was firm. After Wilson’s dramatic winner at Spurs, the club has reportedly shut down any possibility of a January exit. Nuno praised his knack for big moments and made it clear he remains an important option. As for Ward‑Prowse, the manager admitted there have been “honest” conversations about his limited minutes, but stressed he is “one of us” for as long as he’s at the club.
Attention now turns to Sunderland, who arrive at the London Stadium in an odd position — safe in mid‑table but struggling for form. For Nuno, the focus is simple: build on the Spurs win. After going nearly two months without a league victory before last weekend, West Ham now have the chance to claim back‑to‑back wins for the first time this season
Nuno sounds like a man who finally feels he has the dressing room pulling in the right direction. With new arrivals Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe already settling in, and Wilson finding his shooting boots, the Sunderland game feels like a genuine turning point.
Predicted Score: 2-1 to the Hammers. ⚒️
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