Neither Pablo Felipe<\/a> nor Valentin \u2018Taty\u2019 Castellanos<\/a> have scored a top-flight goal yet, with three and four Premier League starts under their belts respectively. What the \u00a347 million duo have lacked in end-product though, they have arguably made up for in other departments.<\/p>\n Just how IMPORTANT is this Burnley match for West Ham? \ud83e\udee8 <\/p>\n The very definition of a ‘six-pointer’<\/p>\n Captain Jarrod Bowen hailed Pablo and Castellanos\u2019 impact<\/a> following the 3-1 victory over Sunderland. Their output \u2018especially without the ball\u2019, Bowen indicated, has made a big difference to a side who previously had to rely on Lucas Paqueta leading the line as a false nine, or Niclas Fullkrug\u2019s lumbering anonymity.<\/p>\n Nuno, though, knows that he cannot expect his two marquee January additions to provide the attacking thrust and the defensive support for a full 90 minutes.<\/p>\n Nuno Espirito Santo knows West Ham United must protect Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos<\/p>\n Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Nuno accepts that both Pablo and Castellanos will need a rest at times, such is the energy they tend to expend. The problem, though, is ensuring West Ham\u2019s gameplan does not fall apart without them.<\/p>\n Nuno accepts that introducing Max Kilman at Stamford Bridge was \u2018probably a mistake\u2019<\/a> \u2013 the much-maligned defender replaced Pablo when the Hammers were 2-1 up, and they went on to lose 3-2 \u2013 so he heads to Lancashire looking for \u2018other solutions\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s impossible [to play with this intensity for 90 minutes], not only Taty and Pablo,\u201d Nuno said. \u201cWe have to realise that playing away from home the way we did in the first-half [against Chelsea] took a lot of energy out of us. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thinking about the next solution which can help us and get us through the games.\u201d<\/p>\n Nuno made similar errors against Bournemouth<\/a> and Brighton towards the end of 2025; taking off his attacking outlets, introducing an extra defender, and inadvertently giving up the initiative. <\/p>\n The Hammers have now lost a staggering 18 points from winning positions this season. Almost as many as they currently have on the board.<\/p>\n Nuno expects a \u2018tough game\u2019 against Scott Parker\u2019s Burnley<\/p>\n Nuno does have the luxury of selecting Callum Wilson<\/a>, still the best finisher at the club, either from the start or from the bench at Burnley. Adama Traore could be a real difference-maker<\/a> off the bench too.<\/p>\n Wilson staying, Traore signing, and the dual additions of Pablo and Castellanos at least means Nuno has far greater attacking depth at his disposal these days.<\/p>\n If you were Nuno, which of these players are you calling up for Burnley? <\/p>\n A Disasi debut? A Wilson re-call? Tell us what Nuno must change<\/p>\n West Ham go into the weekend\u2019s fixtures knowing that, if there is a winner in the Friday night clash between Leeds and Nottingham Forest, they can move to within three points of safety with a victory at Turf Moor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always going to be very tough,\u201d Nuno warns. \u201cBurnley are a good team fighting for the same objective as us, at their home. A tough game. <\/p>\n \u201cWe played them here at the London Stadium [a 3-2 win in November], and it was very, very hard. We know we just have to look at the message of Scott Parker and Kyle Walker; they say they are going to react and we have to be ready for that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Other results] we cannot control. We have to focus on ourselves. What\u2019s happening in other stadiums, we cannot control. We have to do our job. There is a lot of football to be played, but it\u2019s a very important game, definitely. <\/p>\n \u201cThis game means a lot for us. We have to react from what happened against Chelsea, so I expect that from the players.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Mateus](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/West-Ham-v-Burnley-results-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Pablo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2257747610-1024x699.jpg\")
Photo by Izzy Poles \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/p>\n