Nuno Espirito Santo told he must hand ‘terrific’ West Ham player ‘huge opportunity’
West Ham have suffered from a slow start to the season so far but are now hopeful of turning things around after their recent victory.
Nuno Espirito Santo finally got his first win at the London Stadium as West Ham beat Newcastle 3-1, in what was a much-needed result to ease growing pressure.
The Hammers are still in the relegation zone, three points behind Burnley and four behind Leeds, but now plan to build on their success against Newcastle.
However, changes will need to be made if they wish to continue their success, while the new boss is still implementing changes from Graham Potter‘s style of play.
A crucial clash against Burnley at the London Stadium will likely prove pivotal to the course of their season, and it is now being dubbed as a must-win for West Ham.
Nuno Epsirito Santo must hand Freddie Potts a run of games
Among the most impressive performers as West Ham beat Newcastle was Freddie Potts, who finally made his debut for his boyhood club after two loan spells.
The 22-year-old former Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers loanee was “terrific” against the Magpies, but there are still concerns about his abilities.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who has previously kept tabs on Potts’ displays, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the midfielder now needs a run of games to prove he can perform consistently.
“Freddie Potts was terrific against Newcastle, no doubt,” he told Football Insider.
“I’m a bit reluctant to sing his praises as the answer to West Ham’s prayers just yet, though.
“I went to watch him while he was on loan, in a game against Burnley, and he went about an hour without touching the ball, which was some feat for a midfielder.
“Whatever the reasons for it may have been, the game passed him by, he wasn’t getting on the ball and keeping possession, and he wasn’t able to break up play either.
“So I had my doubts about him, and the next time I watched him, he didn’t pull up any trees either.
“He’s now come back to West Ham, and in that game against Newcastle, the second half was largely played in one half of the field with everybody boxed in.
“I think that helps a midfield player like Potts, but one problem West Ham have had is when the game gets stretched, they can’t handle it.
“They were tight in that game against Newcastle, and that suited him, he did very well and did everything he was asked to do.
“But I’ve seen the other side of it, and he needs to put a run of games together with performances like that to convince me he’s the answer to their issues. If that happens, he will have a huge opportunity to show what he can do.
“The manager needs to hand him more minutes and more time on the pitch, because maybe this style of play suits him more and he slots in well, I hope he does, but I can’t be sure until he’s playing more regularly in different types of games.”
West Ham fans have gushed over Potts, with some labelling him the next Declan Rice, and are keen for him to be handed an extended run in the side.
Lucas Paqueta could quit West Ham in January
Potts’ role in the West Ham team could soon become even more important, with speculation surrounding a number of the club’s most high-profile stars.
Reports have claimed Lucas Paqueta could look to quit West Ham in January as he is keen to play at a higher level given the interest in him from a number of top sides.
The Brazil international missed out on a move to Man City in 2023, and while he has been content to stick with the Hammers, his patience is now being tested.
Brown told Football Insider on 5 November that Aston Villa could return for Paqueta after missing out on his signature during the summer transfer window.
Paqueta turned down a move to Aston Villa during the summer, despite West Ham planning to accept offers for him, as he opted to remain in East London.
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