As the Premier League season reaches its thrilling conclusion, all eyes turn to St James' Park this Sunday for a crucial clash between West Ham United and Newcastle United (kick-off 17:30 BST). With the relegation battle intensifying, Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo faced the media with a mix of cautious optimism and fierce determination.

Team News: A Key Absence
Nuno confirmed that dynamic winger Adama Traoré will miss the match due to a muscle injury, joining the recovery list after also sitting out the Arsenal fixture. "The rest of the squad is good," the manager assured, though the loss of Traoré's explosive pace will be felt on the flank. When pressed on whether striker Callum Wilson might see increased minutes, Nuno remained tight-lipped, stating simply: "I'll decide tomorrow, for the team."

Mindset Matters
With only two games remaining in the season, every point is precious. Nuno emphasized that his approach remains unchanged from the opening day. "Every game is a new game, but the values stay the same from the first round to the last," he explained. "If I give a rousing speech in the first round, I'll give it in the last round too." This consistency in messaging is designed to keep his squad focused amid the mounting pressure.

The Portuguese tactician acknowledged the mental challenge ahead, noting that the relegation battle has long been expected to come down to the wire. "Our job is to focus, prepare our players, and get them ready for Sunday," he said. "We are ready, we are positive, and we believe." With a must-win mentality driving every session, Nuno is determined to block out external distractions. "I hope the players stay focused, do their task, and ignore the outside noise. What I try to give them is confidence."

VAR Controversy Lingers
Sunday's buildup has been overshadowed by West Ham's official complaint regarding their disallowed late equalizer against Arsenal. Nuno addressed the issue with measured frustration. "We tried to find answers with things we are concerned about," he explained. "We all compare similar situations, and that's why we need consistency."

While acknowledging the difficulty of refereeing, he questioned whether VAR is fulfilling its intended purpose. "The job of the referees is really hard and difficult. VAR was supposed to help the referees. Is it helping? Is it creating more questions?" For now, Nuno is leaving those debates to the officials. "I don't have time to think about the changes. Finding solutions is not my problem. The referees must understand the need to solve this doubt. I believe the Premier League and the referees will solve it."

As the Hammers prepare for a high-stakes showdown in the northeast, one thing is clear: Nuno's squad is battle-ready, and Sunday's performance will speak louder than any pre-match words.