West Ham United have little time to dwell on their recent disappointment as they prepare for a crucial Friday night trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United. The quick turnaround offers Nuno Espírito Santo’s men a shot at redemption following a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Brentford.
While the loss wasn’t the worst result of their season, the manner of the performance left plenty to be desired. A visit to Leeds is never straightforward, but the Hammers can take encouragement from the fact that their hosts have lost two on the bounce.
Victory in Yorkshire would lift West Ham above Nottingham Forest and into 18th place, just one point shy of Leeds — a small but potentially vital step in their fight for survival.
Simon Jordan’s verdict on Leeds v West Ham
Speaking on talkSPORT, pundit Simon Jordan offered his view on the upcoming clash.
“You’ve got to say, at Elland Road, you’d expect Leeds to win,” Jordan said. “If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can finally get on the scoresheet, then it’s Leeds’ game to lose. But if Nuno goes there, shuts things down, and comes away with a point, he’ll drive back down the M1 feeling content.”
For a West Ham side struggling for confidence, even a draw could help steady the ship — but defeat, especially if Calvert-Lewin is the one doing the damage, would sting all the more.
The Calvert-Lewin connection
The 27-year-old striker left Everton on a free transfer in the summer and was strongly linked with West Ham as a replacement for Michail Antonio. Ultimately, the Hammers turned elsewhere, bringing in former Newcastle forward Callum Wilson instead.
Ironically, both players have found the net just once in the Premier League this season. Yet while Calvert-Lewin remains a regular starter for Leeds, Wilson has fallen out of favour under Nuno.
Nuno’s stance on Wilson
Wilson has been left out of West Ham’s last two league games, both of which ended in defeat. Instead, Nuno has turned to young striker Callum Marshall, suggesting the Portuguese coach isn’t entirely convinced by Wilson’s contribution.
After the Brentford game, Nuno brushed off questions about Wilson’s omission, saying there was “nothing particular” behind the decision — a response that hinted at a lack of faith rather than any tactical reasoning.
Should Calvert-Lewin find the net against the Hammers on Friday, it would serve as a cruel reminder of what might have been for West Ham — and further underline the growing uncertainty surrounding Nuno’s attacking options.