"The absence of the wantaway Lucas Paqueta has given Mateus Fernandes a chance to take on more responsibility for West Ham. Paqueta, who is said to be nursing a minor back problem, was unavailable again for last week's win against Spurs but Nuno Espirito Santo's struggling side coped without the Flamengo target. They called on Fernandes to dictate the flow in midfield and the diligent Portuguese did not disappoint."
"The Dr Tottenham meme has become hackneyed but Spurs' ability to raise previously doomed opponents is beyond a joke. Tuesday's victory over Borussia Dortmund was a fig leaf that followed a Sunday and Monday of speculation over Thomas Frank's future. That Frank remains in charge speaks to a confused picture behind the scenes. At least, certain fans have said with gritted teeth and no little irony, Daniel Levy was decisive when it came to sacking managers."
Lucas Paqueta has been unavailable with a minor back problem, giving Mateus Fernandes an opportunity to shoulder more midfield responsibility for West Ham. Fernandes dictated the midfield, moved the ball cleverly, provided an assist and impressed after joining from Southampton for 38m last summer. Paqueta looks unlikely to return for the Sunderland match, increasing reliance on the 21-year-old. Tottenham's recent results have lifted struggling opponents, with Bournemouth and West Ham reversing poor runs. Spurs' win over Dortmund followed intense speculation about Thomas Frank's future; Frank remains in charge amid a confused picture that could force change if Scott Parker wins.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]