- West Ham United defeated 3-1 by Newcastle United on Sunday
- Former West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker called Nuno Espirito Santo’s decisions ‘odd’
- The Hammers remain in the Premier League relegation zone
West Ham United’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday means they are one foot out of the Premier League door. If Tottenham Hotspur were to collect three points against Chelsea on Tuesday night, it would guarantee the Hammers’ return to the Championship. A draw from Spurs would still all but inflict the same fate with their significant goal difference.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team promoted a sense of belief ahead of the clash at St James’ Park, but from the first ball kicked, the Irons were flat and flawed. The Hammers were doomed for a result from the 20th minute after two early goals in a display that only a club on the verge of relegation could put on.
Sky Sports’ Roy Keane slammed West Ham’s performance as ‘schoolboy stuff,’ and another prominent pundit has had his say on the defeat.
Former West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker called Nuno Espirito Santo’s decisions ‘open and careless’
Former West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker branded West Ham’s approach to the Newcastle game as ‘open and careless.’
“Tough result but you have to give credit to Newcastle, they played well,” Reo-Coker, who served as a Hammers captain during his three-year stay between 2004 and 2007, told the BBC Sport Football Daily podcast.
“When you look at the goals West Ham conceded, they are just poor goals. You can’t be in a relegation fight, with everything at stake, and you go away to St James’ Park and be so open and so careless in how you approach the game.”
“Defensively the goals conceded are so poor. It was always a mountain to climb after the start they had, but even after that in the first half I thought if West Ham can get a goal before half time then it would be game on.”
Reo-Coker was also left by Nuno’s choice to opt for Callum Wilson over Valentín Castellanos, who scored West Ham’s consolation goal on the day. Wilson has only started 11 league games this season, and, as seen in his cameo against Arsenal, where his equaliser momentarily earned West Ham a point before being chalked off, his current profile is better suited to short bursts of action.
“Now, they have handed the advantage massively to Tottenham,” Reo-Coker added.
“You might question Nuno over why Taty Castellanos didn’t start which is an odd one. He started Callum Wilson up top and for me, I don’t know if it’s because he’s playing against his former club or why, but Taty has been playing most games and playing well.
“For me it’s an odd one when you look at team selection. You’d think he would have made a difference if he started.
“Spurs have the advantage now but I think it will still go down to the final day.”
West Ham remain in the Premier League relegation zone, two points behind Spurs.
