NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO could shake up the line up after replacing Graham Potter at West Ham.
Potter, 50, was axed just two days before the Hammer’s sixth Premier League game of the season.
The manager was let go with just one win under his belt this season and the club slumped in 19th place.
Nuno was sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier this month following the defeat to West Ham – Potter’s only win this season.
And he will be expected to turn the club’s fortunes around pretty quickly in order to rescue their season.
The former Wolves and Tottenham manager will have to fix the wide-open defence quickly.
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The Hammers were remarkably vulnerable and have already conceded seven goals from set pieces this season.
Nuno made Forest secure, having taken over from Steve Cooper in December 2023.
He will likely call upon Max Kilman, whom he relied on while in charge at the Molineux between 2018 and 2021.
Should Nuno last at the club until the January transfer window, he could look to raid the City Ground for a number of reinforcements.
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He could look to boost his defensive options with a swoop for another former Wolves defender.
Willy Boly could be available on a cheap deal from Forest and would be used to playing in Nuno’s system.
West Ham could also reignite their interest in Ibrahim Sangare, who they tried to sign in the summer.
The defensive midfielder would offer some valuable protection to the club’s vulnerable back line.
One other target could be prolific striker Chris Wood to bolster the Hammers’ firepower.
The Kiwi seems to have fallen down the pecking order under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Summer signing Igor Jesus has started half of Postecoglou’s games in charge, including the Europa League clash against Real Betis.
If Nuno could get Wood firing at the same rate he was in the East Midlands, then the Hammers will not have to worry about the drop for long.
In the meantime, Nuno will likely hand a chance to summer arrival Soungoutou Magassa.
Reports claimed that he wanted the former AS Monaco ace at Forest before his axing.
He will also look to see if he can turn Niclas Fullkrug into his Wood of East London.
Lucas Paqueta or Mateus Fernandes could also be handed a vital role in building West Ham’s attacking play – similar to that of Morgan Gibbs-White‘s role at Forest.
One player who could have their minutes drastically cut is James Ward-Prowse.
The midfielder was a regular fixture during Potter’s short reign in charge but has been criticised by fans for his performances this season.
However, he spent the first half of last season on loan at Forest under Nuno.
The former Southampton captain only made 10 appearances in all competitions and completed 90 minutes twice.
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Ward-Prowse was mainly used off the bench and was not missed when his loan was cancelled in January.
Nuno would likely see him back on the bench and opt for using Magassa or young Freddie Potts in his place.
