What Nuno Espirito Santo would give for a little calm in east London right now. Nine games into his reign, West Ham United remain winless and sit 19th in the Premier League table, marooned in the bottom three after another turbulent week that has seen tension rise between supporters and the board.
Since replacing Graham Potter at the end of September, Nuno has tinkered relentlessly in search of a winning formula — but even he concedes the answers are proving elusive. “It’s something that doesn’t please us, something that personally I don’t like,” he admitted before today’s meeting with Newcastle. “I would like to have found a solution earlier and stick to it. But I think it’s our obligation to try and find a solution because the team is not producing.”
Tactical Experiments Yet to Deliver
The Portuguese coach has shifted full-backs across flanks — Ollie Scarles deployed on the right, Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the left — while recalling Andy Irving from the fringes and often going without a traditional striker. The logic is to find balance and spark creativity from an inconsistent squad, but performances have yet to match the effort.
Supporters appreciate his willingness to try new ideas, but patience is wearing thin. Hammers United, one of the club’s most vocal fan groups, are planning a post-match sit-in protest after the Newcastle game to demand the resignations of chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
It’s the latest act in a long-running standoff between fans and ownership, fuelled by the team’s slide and lack of clarity around recruitment and ambition.
Nuno’s Challenge: Block Out the Noise
For his part, Nuno insists he is ignoring the “speculation” and external criticism by focusing inward. “We must improve the players individually,” he said. “Many of them, and they know, are performing under their real quality. This is what we are doing — working really, really hard and focusing on individual development.”
He’s made it clear that January transfers are off his radar for now:
“Until January 1, I don’t even think about it [new signings]. My priority is to improve these players, improve our squad — starting individually, then with small groups, by lines: defence, midfielders, attackers. Everybody has to improve.” — Nuno Espirito Santo
The message is simple: West Ham must look inward for solutions rather than waiting for the market to save them.
Paqueta the Symbol and Bowen the Spark
If West Ham are to climb out of danger, Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen must lead the response. Nuno has called for Paquetá to embrace a leadership role that transcends his position.
“Being a No10 is more than a number in my view. Being a 10 is a symbol. This is what we need from Lucas — the best of him, to really help the teammates because they trust him a lot.” — Nuno Espirito Santo
Paquetá, who rejected a move to Aston Villa in the summer, remains one of the few genuine match-winners in the squad. Nuno’s belief is that his flair and work rate can embody the “symbol” of a side rediscovering unity. Meanwhile, Bowen’s importance is “massive”, according to his manager, not only for his goals but his drive and energy in transitions.
Our View: A Storm That Tests the Structure
In our view, Nuno’s biggest battle isn’t tactical — it’s psychological. The squad looks fragile after months of upheaval, and confidence has drained from key players. By shifting focus toward individual improvement, he’s betting on personal growth to spark collective change. It’s a long-term philosophy, but time is the one thing West Ham don’t have.
The upcoming home fixtures against Newcastle (2 November) and Burnley (8 November) will define the early chapter of his tenure. Lose both, and the pressure could reach breaking point. Win, and the narrative might finally shift from chaos to hope.
Key Insights
- Winless run: West Ham are without a victory since August and sit 19th after nine games.
- Tactical experiments: Nuno has used inverted full-backs and a striker-less system to find rhythm.
- Fan unrest: Hammers United plan a sit-in protest against the board.
- Leadership call: Nuno wants Paquetá to become the team’s “symbol”.
- Crucial fixtures: Newcastle (home) and Burnley (home) could shape Nuno’s future.
What’s Next
West Ham host Newcastle United today before welcoming Burnley to the London Stadium next Saturday (8 November, 15:00 GMT). With tension high and points scarce, Nuno’s search for calm — and his first win — has never felt more urgent.
👉 Hammers fans — do you think Nuno’s focus on individual improvement can turn things around, or is a bigger overhaul needed in January?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *