By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham somehow managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 2-2 draw at Burnley in our opening Championship game of the season.
Max Kilman gave the Hammers the lead before debutant Manor Solomon made it 2-0 in the second half, and at that point we appeared to be heading for the perfect start to our league campaign.
Unfortunately, Nuno Espírito Santo did what we’ve seen him do far too many times before.
West Ham Park The Bus
In this video, I discuss how West Ham sat deeper and deeper, effectively parked the bus and invited Burnley to attack us.
Rather than continuing to play and looking for the third goal, we tried to see the game out and eventually paid the price.
Zian Flemming scored twice in the final seven minutes to rescue a point for Burnley, and whilst the manner of the collapse was incredibly frustrating, it’s difficult to argue that the hosts didn’t deserve something from the game.
West Ham scored with our only two shots on target, but for me the biggest frustration was watching us surrender the initiative with a two-goal lead.
This was two points dropped, and Nuno’s decision to sit back is the main focus of my match review.
Same NES, different day.
it felt like a loss
The simple fact that it doesn’t work against a lower quality opposition in the Championship should tell Nuno once and for all that this tactic should never be tried again.
Burnley outplayed us and deserved at least a draw they could have scored 4 or 5 on another day.
Will Nuno change is the same as asking would Moyes or Allardyce change, no is the short answer to that they are incapable of changing because it is their DNA as coaches, he is very good at what he does but in the absence of a midfield that can control that space and in the absence of pace on the counter which he had at Wolves and Forest it is difficult to play that way and win consistently.
I don’t know what to say, we did park the bus but the game is football both goals came from attempts at football that did not connect with the ball. It’s worse than that Burnley played at home but they played and found themselves 2-0 down there should have been no way back for them if common sense prevailed. Why park the bus? Our best player was moved from R/back L/mid and problems came that area. We didn’t play well and should of won. It could of been worse.
It’s what lost us many points last season. It wasn’t until Disasi came in that our back line looked assured enough to even try this tactic.
Even then, a third goal kills off the game, and attack must surely be the best form of defence.
Still early days, but Nuno will find himself under a lot of pressure if he repeats this mistake of last season.
Spot on. If Nuno carries on this mad tactic that provably doesn’t work, we’ll be lucky to finish mid-table.
It brought back the Chelsea nightmare last season, except this time the team still managed to save one point. Hire Flemming with his energy and character to contribute to what we seem to still be lacking.
The 1st thing West ham need to do is sign a new goal keeper 65 goals let though last season is it going to be the same this season
Getting bored of all the whinging going on this site, nuno replaced pablo at halftime cause of a suspected calf injury, due to inexperience sub bench he brought on JWP, was it nuno’s fault that Scarles made a ridiculous challenge resulting in a penalty? No of cause not, but to say Nuno parked the bus is nonsense. We would have settled for a point before the game so let’s move on to the next game COYI
Disagree. This is what Nuno does. He did it time after time last season and it cost us our PL status.
Should have got Scott Parker – simple
Bloke will be binned off by November.
Mark my words
Can make as many excuses as you like but Nuno has had enough time to sort out problems.
11 players on field with insufficient back up on bench.
Time it’s taking to get what he deems as quality players (good enough for premier league).
That has no relationship to present need which is players to get back into premier league.
Should be aiming at the cream of championship players like Burnley’s Fleming.
Bowen has most to lose so he should consult with him needs to swallow his pride.
Looks like he should have kept Paco not a yes man.
He got Wolves back up by spending obscene amount of money that’s not going to happen at whu.
His tactics have got to change or he’ll be gone by October.
Pablo was pulled because he felt his calf according to Nuno. And because we won’t pay £20m for a young striker, Nuno had no attacking option to deploy. But even if he had, he would have brought on a midfielder or a defender because that’s how his mind works. He is peeing me right off too Gonzo. Scarles’ tackle attempt was under 11 football. Had he not been so stupid then Burnley would not have got back into it. We need to block crosses at source because our two giant CB’s cannot win a header. Unbelievable. Kretinsky, Nuno and this team are turning me into a moaning minnie and I’m usually a chilled guy. It’s a fine line between love and hate……..
This was inexcusable, Nuno has learnt nothing from last season’s farce at all and we have started where we left off, and if he persists with this “cowardly” approach we will not get promoted. He either needs to be more positive, especially with his in-game mgt or he should be replaced. We cannot afford to be in this league beyond this season.
They need a goal keeper that let goals in 65 last year is it going to be the same as last season please get a new goal keeper
Late night post?
Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome was Einstein’s definition of insanity.
Perhaps the Board should suggest Nuno sees a shrink!