‘Leaders’ in and around West Ham have been in short supply this season. After the departure of Zouma, Cresswell, Antonio, Coufal and Fabianski- all leaders by example both on the pitch and in the dressing room, there has been a dearth of experienced players for the influx of new transfers and young academy players to look to for advice.
Which goes a long way to explain the Irons’ rudderless form on the pitch. This isn’t t be critical of Bowen’s captaincy – his work ethic and input is exemplary – but the shortage of other, senior, vocal senior players to back him up is critical. Back in 2024 when Lopetegui started his calamitous nine month tenure, former skipper Nigel Reo-Coker noticed how quiet the dressing room was. You can bet it’s even more subdued now.
Eric Dier worked under Nuno at Tottenham and his words (reported by londonworld.com today) make it very plain that he thinks very highly of the Portuguese head coach and, were he to join West Ham, would be a strong advocate for Espírito Santo in the dressing room and out on the park.
As the report states:
“Dier was outspoken with his love for Nuno while the manager was at Spurs. After a 2-1 comeback win over Aston “Villa in October 2021, the defender called on players to get behind the boss in words that could be easily applied to the struggle ahead of West Ham this season.”
Dier’s own words back in 2021 made it clear where he stood:
“100 per cent we believe [in the manager’s plan]. We have to keep calm. We had a tough couple of weeks under difficult circumstances..as players we have to perform and there are some levels you can’t drop below and we definitely did last weekend and that has nothing to do with the manager.”
So you can understand entirely why Nuno may be so set on bringing Dyer to West Ham – not just to be a Max Kilman upgrade – but to be his vocal, defensive Lieutenant on the pitch.
This current West Ham team lacks a true leader. As much as I appreciate Bowen, he’s not leading this team to glory.
Maybe Nuno recognises that he needs an advocate in the squad, as players can see how he’s treated the likes of JWP, Callums; Wilson & Marshall, Guilherme, Fulkrug etc.
Just go out and buy Pinnock now – get him in for Saturday
Have you got a shilling on West Ham to go down?
I mean he’s hardly gonna set pulses racing but if we could bring in Dier and Charlie Cresswell then those would be a pair of solid defenders.
End of the day, he was a fairly regular CB at Bayern so isn’t like you’re managing that if you’re not capable. Plus Nuno being familiar with him and vice-versa and could be a decent bit of business for us.
Because Dier grew up in Portugal. Maybe Nuno sees him as a bridge between the English lads and the Portuguese speaking lads. If nothing else he would make a good translator.
We don’t want to pay a high salary for a translator. We need a good defender and leader on the pitch. I think Dier could be that man, at least for now.
And a good leader is a good communicator. You might not think so but Ive a feeling speaking your team mates language could be very useful.
Whenever I saw Dier play centre back I thought he was very poor. A reasonable DM though.