West Ham are under huge pressure going into their trip to Leeds.
Nuno called on West Ham to transform their frustration from Monday’s defeat to Brentford into “commitment and motivation” as he seeks his first win as Hammers manager against Leeds United on Friday.
West Ham were booed off by their fans as they produced a dismal performance against the Bees, losing 2-0 in a game boycotted by many Hammers supporters.
Nuno’s men are second bottom with just four points from eight games, the Portuguese taking one point from his three matches since replacing Graham Potter.
A trip to Leeds does represent an opportunity for West Ham to end their miserable run.
Daniel Farke’s hosts are three games without a win and suffered a dispiriting 2-0 defeat to Burnley last time out.
While Nuno anticipates a tricky game in front of what will surely be a raucous Elland Road crowd, he does see the fixture as a clear chance for West Ham to begin to right the ship.
Nuno said: “First, you have to detect the problems you have, then address them and improve on them. But more than anything, you have to be together, and create a bond. You have to be able to be strong enough as individuals, and then transform that.
That starts for us now on Friday. We must transform the frustration from Monday night into commitment and motivation, so we can play better against Leeds. That is a step we have to make.
“We are clearly aware that it’s going to be a very tough game. Leeds are a very good team, and it’s going to be a tough environment. But we’ll be ready, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Despite the tumult around West Ham, Farke expects a response to Monday’s defeat from the visitors.
“West Ham are a well-established Premier League side,” he said.
“They have high individual quality, many, many very experienced and quality players for this level.
“In the offence and midfield, also in the defence, they have with Nuno a very, very experienced coach at this level.
“You have a very, very experienced and quality coach and you have also quality players. These players make sure, and I have also spoken after the game, we have to deliver the basics.
“When they are switched on at this moment, then you can tell that this team will show a good performance and it will be difficult to beat them.
“This is what I definitely expect. I would rather play against a team that perhaps underestimates a newly promoted side. I think especially after last Monday, they will be pretty much on it.
“I expect a difficult game for us but nevertheless at this level, each of the games is difficult. We know that especially in home games, we have a good chance to win some points.
“We have shown this more or less in each of the home games so far. For that, we also don’t go into this game with fear.
“We are looking forward to this game and want to deliver a good performance and hopefully also the right result.”
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Team News for Leeds v West Ham
Wilfried Gnonto and Noah Okafor are major doubts for Leeds, while Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk are dealing with illness.
Konstantinos Mavropanos misses out for West Ham, along with Niclas Fullkrug and George Earthy.
Expected line-ups for Leeds v West Ham
Leeds United: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Longstaff, Tanaka, Stach; James, Calvert-Lewin, Harrison
West Ham United: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Diouf; Irving, Soucek; Bowen, Summerville, Fernandes; Paqueta
How to watch Leeds v West Ham
Leeds v West Ham kicks off at 8pm UK time. It will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. It will be available to stream via Sky Go.
The Stats for Leeds v West Ham
- Having won eight of their nine home league games against West Ham between 1996 and 2005, Leeds are winless in their last four against the Hammers at Elland Road (D2 L2).
- West Ham have won four of their last six league games versus Leeds (D1 L1), as many as they had in their previous 37 (D12 L21).
- West Ham lost 3-0 at promoted Sunderland on the opening weekend this season. They have not lost consecutive league games against promoted sides within the same season since December 2017 (vs Brighton and Newcastle).
- Leeds have averaged 13 shots per game in the Premier League so far this season, the highest rate by a promoted side since Leeds themselves in 2020-21 (13.7).
- However, Leeds’ conversion rate is just 6.7%, their lowest on record in a league season (since 2013-14).
Prediction
Leeds’ defeat at Burnley served as a frustrating illustration of their lack of attacking prowess. Their failings in that area make it a good opportunity for the Hammers to pick up a positive result. These two teams cancelling each other out seems the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 West Ham
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
