Benjamin Booker
West Ham United head coach Nuno Espírito Santo insists his side must “earn their luck” as they prepare to head across London for a pivotal clash against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Coming off the back of a grueling but morale-boosting FA Cup victory over QPR, the Hammers boss sat down with the media to discuss injury woes, transfer rumors, and his return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We are working to bring more options in certain positions and find solutions for players not getting minutes. It is a very tricky window, but we must make good decisions.”
Momentum from the Cup
Despite the heavy legs following 120 minutes of cup action, Nuno was adamant that the winning feeling is the best medicine for a squad fighting for Premier League consistency.
“The result is the most important thing,” Nuno said. “Winning always helps recovery and the atmosphere. It was a tough match, but the week has been good. We want to use that win as a starting point for what we want to do at Spurs.”
Team News: Paquetá and Mavropanos Updates
The injury room remains a concern for the Hammers. Nuno provided a cautious update on several key first-team players:
- Konstantinos Mavropanos: Still struggling with a “painful” neck issue.
- Matheus Fernández: Returning to individual training sessions but not yet back with the main group.
- Lucas Paquetá: Currently still in treatment, with his availability for the derby remaining a “wait and see” situation.
When asked about Paquetá’s long-term future amidst ongoing speculation, Nuno remained diplomatic: “He is one of our best players. It’s a situation we have to solve together as a club. We want our best players available.”
Transfer Window: Rebalancing the Squad
With the January window in full swing, Nuno confirmed that the club is actively looking to “rebalance” the squad. While names like Callum Wilson and James Ward-Prowse have been linked with moves away, the manager emphasized the need for surgical precision in their recruitment.
“We cannot afford mistakes,” Nuno warned. “We are working to bring more options in certain positions and find solutions for players not getting minutes. It is a very tricky window, but we must make good decisions.”
Facing the Former Club
For Nuno, the trip to North London marks his third league game this year against a former employer. Despite a difficult short-lived tenure at Spurs in 2021, he holds no bitterness.
“It was an honour and a pleasure to manage Spurs,” he reflected. “Things didn’t go well, but nothing changes now. My focus is entirely on the result for West Ham. It’s a London derby; the approach is the same preparation and the same detail.”
Fresh Eyes on the Bench
The Hammers have also welcomed a new face to the dugout this week. Experienced Spanish coach Paco Jémez has officially joined the staff, a move Nuno hopes will inject fresh tactical energy into the dugout.
“Another person to help us,” Nuno said of Jémez’s arrival. “More staff means more ideas and more energy. He is an experienced coach and will certainly help us.”
A Message to the Fans
With 30,000 Hammers expected to make the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Nuno knows exactly what is expected of his team in one of the biggest fixtures of the calendar.
“What the fans expect is that we fight and compete. Football is fine margins—a ball hitting the post or an offside by two centimeters changes the game. We have to work to earn our luck.”
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