West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo urges caution despite morale boost

West Ham’s mood has unquestionably brightened in recent weeks, but Nuno Espírito Santo is making sure nobody at Rush Green confuses renewed confidence with genuine progress. After a dreadful opening to the campaign, back-to-back wins against Newcastle United and Burnley have lifted the gloom, yet the Portuguese insists the Hammers are “still chasing levels” and remain far from where they need to be.

The return of the club’s internationals this week captured the contrast perfectly. Scotland’s Andy Irving, reborn under Nuno after being written off, came back beaming following his nation’s stunning qualification for their first World Cup since 1998. Meanwhile, Denmark goalkeeper Mads Hermansen arrived with heavier shoulders after failing to seal his place at next summer’s tournament. That balance — joy for some, disappointment for others — is exactly the dynamic Nuno knows he must manage.

And despite the two victories, he refuses to let optimism run unchecked. “It doesn’t mean anything,” he warned before facing Bournemouth. “We achieved something good for us, but that’s all.”

If the shift in atmosphere is clear, so too is Nuno’s determination not to let his players drift into complacency. The team registered their first pair of home wins since October 2024, but he insists that the performances weren’t consistent enough.

His message is simple: humility first, improvement second. Players chasing World Cup dreams — notably Irving and captain Jarrod Bowen — must avoid placing unnecessary pressure on themselves. “That would be a mistake,” Nuno said. “He has to keep doing what he’s doing well.”

Bowen embodies what Nuno wants: commitment, modesty and responsibility. The manager even admitted that if he were England coach, “I would have no doubts”. A sentiment that underlines Bowen’s growing influence, particularly with Lucas Paquetá suspended again and labelled “irreplaceable”.

Nuno repeatedly references “togetherness” as the anchor of West Ham’s turnaround. Bowen’s captaincy plays a key part in that. The trust between manager and captain is helping stabilise a group that looked mentally fragile early in the season.

The difference now is that Nuno doesn’t want the team playing like relegation battlers. He wants them playing like a unit with ambition, even if the table currently tells another story.

Ahead of today’s trip to Bournemouth — where Nuno seeks his first win over Andoni Iraola in five attempts — the manager’s frustration is clear. While the Newcastle performance thrilled him, the drop-off against Burnley did not.

“We achieved a win, but we dropped our standards,” he admitted. “Now we have to bounce back in terms of how we want to play.”

The message is unwavering: the wins were helpful, but nowhere near the benchmark he is demanding.

Having followed West Ham closely this season, Nuno’s honesty feels both intentional and strategic. In our view, the club’s biggest problem isn’t talent — it’s rhythm. Two wins don’t fix structural issues, especially when Paquetá is missing and the midfield still lacks a consistent controller.

Although some supporters believe Nuno should embrace the upturn more positively, it’s worth noting that the manager has seen too many games swing on lapses in discipline and late-game decisions. His caution is justified.

There is also the question of Bowen’s load. While he’s carrying the badge well, expecting him to anchor leadership and attacking output simultaneously is risky. Other senior players must rise if West Ham want real momentum into December.

And yet, optimism is warranted. The energy around Rush Green is healthier than at any point this season. If West Ham can maintain the humility Nuno keeps preaching and avoid reverting to frantic, improvised football, a climb from the relegation zone becomes very realistic.

With Lucas Paquetá suspended, the Hammers lack their primary connector between midfield and attack. This absence may actually reveal more about Nuno’s long-term plans. Expect a more compact, transition-heavy approach at Bournemouth, with Bowen drifting inside to compensate. If West Ham cope well without Paquetá, it could broaden the tactical identity Nuno has been trying to imprint.

West Ham face Bournemouth this afternoon — a match that could lift them out of the relegation zone. Nuno seeks his first-ever win against Andoni Iraola, knowing a third straight victory would change the tone around Rush Green dramatically.

👉 West Ham fans — is Nuno right to keep expectations low, or should he embrace the growing optimism?