Lies, damned lies and statistics as the saying goes. One particular statistic leaped out at me today from the mass of news and ‘reportage’ that streamed across my screen concerning Nuno Espirito Santo’s impact at West Ham compared with that of his hapless predecessors.
And whilst the Portuguese manager dropped a clanger by contriving to send the wrong team out against Brentford and Leeds, something very positive is happening at West Ham:
From Hammers.hub comes the tweet which shows the growing resilience Nuno has already instilled in his side after a handful of games.
“West Ham gained just 6 points from losing positions in the Premier League under Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter. They’ve already gained 7 under Nuno Espirito Santo’s in just 5 games. Showing a more resilient edge rather than giving up when conceding first.”
Which bodes well for the remainder of the season.
Staggering when you consider there have been no changes in personnel. No millions spent in the transfer window. No ‘preseason summer tour’ to bond with his players amidst claims of positivity overload.
West Ham’s players have responded well and now seem to have an appetite for the fight which was lacking as the beatings were administered at both the end of Lopetegui’s era and Potter’s nine months in charge.
The ‘cave-in’ – giving up an avalanche of goals after the first one goes in– appears to be arrested.
With a difficult run of games ahead it is premature to speak of it being gone forever but Nuno appears to have stopped the rot and instilled some fight into his troops. When the international break is over the run-up to the Christmas fixtures will show just how good our Hammers’ appetite for the fray really is.
Too many false dawns to proclaim ‘crisis over’ just yet. But coming back from losing positions under Nuno speaks volumes for the team’s attitude to their fourth head coach in a year and half.
The midfield has been changed Martin, that’s what’s made the bulk of the difference. JWP / Rodriguez / Soucek in midfield was far too pedestrian and we were overrun.
We need to choose from Fernandes, Potts and Magassa and we need to give George Earthy minutes as he can break through this season just as Freddie Potts has. George Earthys chance has to be now while Paqueta is out.
Again it’s an encouraging stat but I’m sure I’m not the only one wishing it wasn’t a “from losing positions” one.
Speaking of stats… I’m curious if we’re the first team to have two consecutive previous managers go into international management seeing as Lopetegui is in charge of Qatar and Potter went to Sweden?