West Ham wingers Manor Solomon and Edvin Austbo in a side-by-side image

Manor Solomon and Edvin AustboImago

West Ham answer to Manor Solomon and Edvin Austbo dilemma is staring Nuno in the face - here's why

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Published on:

16 Oct 2026, 6:10 pm

West Ham United shouldn't, in theory, have much to debate in terms of team selection this weekend.

The Hammers head into what could be a huge clash on Saturday as they visit Championship pacesetters Swansea City.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men are two spot and four points adrift of Vitor Matos' side heading into the clash at Swansea.com Stadium.

But they go into the game on the back of a 6-0 rout of Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on Wednesday.

Usually when you win by such a comprehensive scoreline, a manager would not have much to ponder in terms of team selection for the next game if everyone is fit.

And yet there is one potential dilemma, the answer to which could be staring Nuno directly in the face.

Tactical re-think could solve potential Nuno headache at West Ham

One area that could prove problematic for Nuno is who to select on the left flank against Swansea.

In midweek, Edvin Austbo did his chances no harm at all as he scored one and set up another in the rout.

It was the the second time this season the 21-year-old Norwegian has scored and assisted as a sub, having done so in the win over Derby County.

But fellow summer arrival Manor Solomon predominantly operates on the left, and has largely been selected to start there.

There is increasing clamour for Austbo to get a run of starts, and you get the sense West Ham do have a big weapon in their ranks that is not being fully utilised.

So, here's the solution for Nuno...just play both.

On the opposite flank, if Jarrod Bowen is fit then the captain is aways going to play, it's just obvious, he is the first name on the teamsheet.

Solomon, though, is capable of playing as a number 10, and there is a clear argument now to start all three players.

West Ham's forwards account for just five of their league goals this season, with Joel Piroe on three, and Pablo and Taty Castellanos each on one.

There are goals in each of Bowen, Solomon and Austbo, so why keep the shackles on? There's definitely an argument to get them all in the team, so why not start by doing so against Swansea?

Jason Cundy hits back at ‘nuts’ Jamie O’Hara question after West Ham win vs Lincoln

Who misses out for West Ham in this scenario?

The tricky decision in this scenario is who would you keep out of the team?

Pablo got his first league goal of the campaign against Lincoln, but fans love him for his workrate and effort.

Castellanos would have hoped to be a bigger goal threat in the second tier, and right now there is not a great argument to made to start him.

Piroe looks the most likely of all the strikers to score goals when he starts, so really the on-loan Leeds United man should start.

Moreover, he has a proven connection with Solomon as the two were influential in helping Leeds win promotion from the second tier in the 2024/25 campaign.

Jarrod Bowen