West Ham should give Joël Piroe and Taty Castellanos another chance together against QPR, provided both are available. Nuno Espírito Santo has evidence that the partnership can work, even if the midfield support behind it needs attention.
The temptation after Millwall is to remove a striker and add another midfielder. That option deserves consideration, especially with Mohamadou Kanté suspended.
But the first-half problems at The Den should not erase what the pair have already produced. The better starting point is to define their responsibilities more clearly, then judge whether West Ham can supply them consistently.
Piroe and Castellanos have shown why the partnership matters
The second goal in September’s 6-0 victory over Wrexham offers the clearest example.
As Sky Sports reported, Castellanos drove into the penalty area before finding Piroe, who finished first time. Castellanos later scored himself.
That move demonstrated the value of having two forwards making different contributions. One attacked the space and supplied the pass; the other remained available to finish.
West Ham should want more of those combinations.
Against QPR, I would ask Castellanos to offer the shorter passing option when midfield needs help, with Piroe initially occupying the centre-backs. They could exchange those jobs during attacks, rather than remain fixed alongside each other.
The aim would be to create a route into the forwards without asking both to come towards the ball. If both drop, West Ham lose their threat behind the defence. If neither drops, the midfield can be left without an accessible forward pass.
This is a proposed adjustment, not a change Nuno has announced.
Millwall exposed the cost of leaving the forwards isolated
The argument for an extra midfielder comes from a difficult afternoon.
West Ham trailed Millwall 2-0 at half-time before Nuno introduced Kanté and Pablo for Kyle Walker-Peters and Piroe. Our analysis of those substitutions examined how the changes helped West Ham recover a draw.
It would be too simple to conclude that taking Piroe off proves he cannot play with Castellanos. Nuno changed two players, and the response involved several parts of the team.
The warning is about the distance between midfield and attack.
Starting two strikers achieves little if opponents stop passes reaching them. West Ham need nearby support when a forward receives with his back to goal, plus players positioned to recover loose balls.
A one-striker formation could provide an additional central passing option. It would also leave one fewer forward immediately available to occupy defenders and attack crosses.
That trade-off should depend on what happens in the game.
QPR selection should come with a clear alternative
The confirmed suspension picture complicates the decision: Kanté cannot repeat his Millwall intervention against QPR.
Nuno therefore needs a workable alternative from the outset. If the midfield cannot progress possession or repeatedly loses second balls, replacing a striker with another midfielder should remain an early option.
The wide players also have responsibilities. When one moves forward to support an attack, the opposite flank must remain connected to midfield. Both full-backs advancing simultaneously would increase the space opponents could exploit after a turnover.
Piroe’s goal in Friday’s friendly victory over Wycombe is encouraging, but competitive performances should carry greater weight in this selection.
My preference is to start both strikers and demand better connections around them. Review the arrangement through the quality of their service, the support behind them and the chances they create.
If those connections fail, change it. West Ham should preserve a productive partnership while remaining willing to sacrifice it when the match demands something different.
