Remember January? West Ham United were four points from ‘safety’ and Scott Parker’s Burnley were breathing down our necks, just two points behind. Relegation seemed a certainty and the bookies had the Hammers at something likean 89% likelihood of exiting the top tier of English football in May.
The turnaround, dramatic in it’s rapidity, has produced form reminiscent of David Moyes’ best season at the club, such is the claim in todays’ report by planetfootball.com:
“West Ham have been in Europe-chasing form since January;
The Hammers have been notoriously bad with their recruitment in recent years, which prompted zero optimism among their supporters that the Irons would do what was necessary in the winter transfer window.”
As important as any player transfer? The arrival of assistant Paco Jemez has co-incided with West Ham’s transformation from Premier League basket case
As ‘Planet football‘ continue, the change in form engendered by the arrival of Taty Castellanos, Pablo Felipe, Adama Traore and Axel Disasi has been nothing short of breathtaking:
“Upto the window opening they were earning 0.73 points per game. Since it closed, the Irons have doubled that number to 1.5 points per.
If the season started when the window shut, Nuno’s side would be in the running for Europe, not desperately trying to fend off relegation”
For the record, if the season started in January West Ham would like eighth on current form. Can’t help pointing out that Tottenham would be 20th ..with just one point this year compared with West Ham’s 12.
Just for once, the Hammers seem to have avoided making a pig’s ear of a transfer window: Credit where it is due to whoever signed those four players.
However the one factor not taken into consideration in their article is the arrival of Paco Jemez as Nuno’s assistant at the same time, mid-January window and right before the QPR Cup tie that many, including Jarrod Bowen, feel was the season’s turning point.
If West Ham remain in this kind of form until May we can spend all summer arguing whether Axel Disasi’s arrival was more influential than that of assistant Paco Jemez, without the spectre of relegation haunting our discussions.
Keep reading how pundits say this happened or that which, changed WHU season. I think it was a lot of things. This is not comprehensive, also just my take, also did it quickly as have some work to do 😁, but sequence of changes:
Magassa & Potts shine in midfield. Wilson plays well up front.
NES plays 5 at the back all the time & experiments, repeatedly giving points away.
Taty & Pablo arrive beginning of window and start in the next game – unheard of.
Disasi arrives.
Paqueta who was WHU flair player departs. He had become a burden and team were having to cover for his regular mistakes. All due to FA & incredibly bad managers.
Team abandon 5 at the back and have 4-2-4, 4-4-2 attacking formation. They press higher, Summerville especially is no longer double marked and can influence games.
The Soucek effect. His experience in midfield settles the team, he does the simple things well, is a threat up front and an asset defending.
Fernandes effect. Becomes fulcrum in midfield, covers, defends & creates game after game. Unbelievable performances, keeps 2-man midfield working well.
Jimez effect with defence at last able to deal with long throw-ins, crosses and corners into the box.
Disasi effect. Brings solidity in defence and perfect foil for Todibo or Dinos.
Summerville effect. as he suddenly starts scoring freed up by Taty & Pablo.
Matts effect. As GK bringing calmness in defence as well as good distribution.
Traore starts showing in glimpses, how dangerous a player he can be as well as a provider of nicely weighted chips and crosses into the box. There’s hope he’ll shine.
Team spirit is sky high because of good performances & effective coaching behind the scenes – Jimez + NES make the team believe.
Leaders in defence & midfield are appearing on the pitch. All of which were absent.
Bowen who leads by example and is down to earth, comes into his own as team captain. Obviously respected by all the players, will never give up – just what WHU need now.
Taty effect He scores a brace and like Bowen tirelessly leads up front.
Dinos effect. Fighting for everything at the back, scores as many goals as no 9, reminds me of the impact Collins had in matches. Ginger Greek.
You have to credit Nuno.
He has a track record of 7th place finishes, 7th with Wolves 2018 / 19 and 2019 / 20. 7th with Forest 2024 / 25.
Over the last 10 matches guess where we are in the form table… 7th.
Nuno doing what Nuno does once he has a team shaped in his own mould.
He does do the odd weird thing from time to time though….