Just as it should be – temporarily – the Premier League is in full swing and we have no sooner dismantled, dissected and pored over the Manchester United victory than another West Ham game looms – this time a trip to the midlands to take on 2024/5’s surprise package Nottingham Forest.
Currently riding high in the league at seventh with one of the best ‘goals against’ tally in the league, Forest have conceded just seven goals in nine games and sit on 16 points. Only Liverpool have conceded less. Who’d have expected that in August? However there are big issues with midfield ahead of West Ham’s visit for Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Loanee James Ward-Prowse is prohibited from appearing against his parent club. Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood are described as 50/50 in any case for the match, whilst Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are also long-term absentees through injury.
Gibbs White especially has been the creative influence for the club this season, but has missed the open training session hosted by the club this week. No doubt, he’d be a big miss for Nottingham and West Ham would I’m sure be very pleased to see him sit this one out. Elliot Anderson has done a good job in filling in so far, the ex-Newcastle man playing in a 10 role against Leicester and Crystal Palace and is certainly no weak link.
Lopetegui will be without two Hammers Niclas Fullkrug and Mohammed Kudus- well documented absentees for very different reasons. The visit to The City Ground is likely to be a tougher challenge for West Ham than the limp Manchester United attack provided last Sunday: I wouldn’t expect Forest to be so error-prone in front of goal and The Hammers will need to step up and provide a full 90 minute performance rather than the game of two halves they produced on Sunday last.
