If new West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo wasn’t aware of the scale of the task facing him, he surely is now.
Following the latest round of Premier League fixtures, it is becoming clear that there will be no whipping boys in the division this season.
Sunderland have climbed into the giddy heights of the Champions League places, while Leeds United sit comfortably in mid-table with the sort of points tally the Hammers can only dream of.
Even Scott Parker’s Burnley look a half-decent side despite their heavy defeat to Manchester City yesterday – a scoreline that didn’t truly reflect the game.
Wolverhampton Wanderers came within a whisker of a surprise win away at Spurs, and most expect Aston Villa to start climbing the table sooner rather than later.
In many respects, the West Ham board could not have timed things worse. The failed appointments of Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter have left Espirito Santo with an uphill battle.
It seems those in charge spent too much time resting on their laurels, banking on simply being better than the promoted sides to ensure survival. That complacency has gone, and Nuno’s decision to get to work immediately looks increasingly wise.
This season looks like being one of the toughest in years – and survival may require a higher-than-usual points tally.
I don’t think that we have a notably untalented squad. I believe there were real managerial weaknesses under Potter that should not be difficult to iron out.
I don’t say that we’ll suddenly be world beaters but we should be able to pick up a normal amount of points and there’s the vast majority of the season remaining in which to do so.
Nuno achieved seventh place finishes with both Wolves and Forest when neither had done anything like that for donkeys years. He hasn’t even arrived from being sacked for underachieving is the normal background of no compo paid managers.
It also looks like Everton have vacated their traditional berth in the relegation fight, they must have found a good manager at last…
I don’t understand why there are such high expectations of Nuno Espirito. In my opinion, he’s a complete failure as a manager. He destroyed Wolves, then Nottingham Forest. Now it’s our turn. Does no one but me see his incompetence? I think we’ll have to sack him before the end of the season.
If we had a stable, smoothly run club I would have liked an interim then considered alternatives such as Conceicao at end of season.
As it is, with so much change needed at the club (fan participation, stadium gripes, player and manager recruitment,…) enough is enough and also Espirito might be a progressive manager, who will create a good team and go from there, over the next 3 seasons. At least I hope so – perhaps his smile is so wide because he values the real potential for this club to become a ‘contender’.😊
I disagree. We’ve just played three or four of the best teams in the league. Apart from the upcoming Arsenal game it can only get easier.
In a way glad to see Espirito come in because have come round to the idea we need a strong basis, even more than ever in the PL after being able to watch Leeds – Bournemouth. Two middle table teams going at it hammer and tongs!
Want to see flowing, attacking football too, or you won’t beat opponents. Hope get a strong team with added flair, since we have plenty at WHU: Guilherme, Fernandes, Summerville, Earthy?, Paq, …
Recruitment is my big question. Would have thought any club would wish to keep Macaulay because his finds have been seriously good. What about all the footballing scouts in Ireland and UK – out the picture?
Would love an article that explains the ins and outs of the recruitment process at WHU, from scouts all the way up – not asking about Sullivan’s involvement, to point fingers or whatever, If Mendes comes in and all we get now are certainly gifted players, but all from Portugal overlooking players such as Diouf or the recruitment seen at Crystal Palace (Eze, Wharton) then we have just set up a further problem for the club, the Academy, scouts, etc.
In Nuno we trust Gonzo.
christ, its only the end of september is it a 10 game season. everytime you guys post its negative here something novel how about supporting your team through thick and thin West ham supports are used to this. We will stay up.
You’ve made four posts Steve, every one of them on a negative article. Where are you on the blogs about Josh Landers, Mo Kante or Callum Marshall.
People in glass houses and all that mate.
Don’t always have time I go to every home match and some away, stay until the end and support even we are loosing by ten. I don’t post often as cannot stand negativity give us positives and go and support your team