West Ham’s manager Nuno Espírito Santo has, if anything, strengthened his position at the heart of West Ham United, being very much the ‘continuity’ figure during a momentous summer in whist pretty much all else has changed at the club in five or six short weeks.
Relegation, a new board, a new head of recruitment and a new assistant manager- Nuno has been the one character who has remained in situ throughout, something of a reassuring hand on the Hammers’ steering wheel.
However as Claret and Hugh suggested yesterday, Nuno’s seeming unwillingness to re-engage with players who he has ‘beef’ with – to use my kids’ lingo – means several are now outside the training circle, seemingly high and dry very much reminiscent of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’.
Just as hoped, this article has evoked mixed, considered reader opinions. Here’s a couple of ‘guest posts’ to illustrate fans differing opinions:
Claret and Hugh reader “Rossi” suggests there’s still space to coach the best out of several of the ‘exiles’:
“If only WHU could salvage the gold from the ship, that could put the club in the financial position we all want and save something from the wreck.
Todibo – seemingly beyond redemption after failing out with three successive managers
I mean with Nuno’s approval try to get Todibo and Wan Bisaka back in the squad I can see value in those players because they can play and if they did perform they would increase in value. Possibly the best of both. There may be other players that the club could do something with but of course it is totally the Managers choice.
I just hate seeing our Club get so little from so much money spent. Bring on the New West Ham.”
Conversely, reader “Alans Devon Shire” believes the Manager’s position is spot on:
“No manager is going to manage players back into the squad when their attitude and petulance are what caused issues to start with. If a player like Todibo openly declares that he will never play for the manager again just because he has been substituted when he didn’t think he should be, that’s definitely the players issue, not the managers.
Todibo fell out with the 2 previous managers and with that type of attitude he could probably fall out with himself when alone in a dark room and still claim it wasn’t his fault.
Ward Prowse has a big Nuno-shaped problem at West Ham
And we all know why JWP isn’t playing for “Baldy,” – Ooops, I meant Nuno!
Realistically, the players you seem to be mentioning were all other managers buys, and some managers have their own preferences in the type of player they like….
Halfkrug never got started, missed pre season, was slow, over weight and then got injured. He was a bad last minute replacement for Duran. Then his attitude changed and he had a good pre season and looked fit. But again he started trying to write cheque’s his body couldn’t cash – and got injured again. Then his attitude decided he wanted out!
There is no Bomb Squad, just bad decisions being made by a board who ran the club in such an awful and unprofessional way. They ran out of ideas and didn’t do anything to attempt to change the direction the club was going in.”
And you? Where do you stand on the notion of a West Ham bomb squad – expensive, unwanted players effectively paid not to play or train with the match day squad whilst the club waits – in vain – for buyers for their costly services?
“However, the practice (of a Bomb Squad) is facing strict regulation. Under a landmark agreement involving FIFA and global players’ unions, clubs are heavily penalized for isolating players in this manner, and exiled players are now able to demand a free transfer if denied access to standard training facilities.”
Where does that put the likes of Todibo and JWP?
They’ll not be denied access to ‘standard training facilities’ iMHO
Who is Halfkrug? Who writes this stuff?
Instead of leaping to criticise, my friend, if you had read the post you’d have worked out it was a comment by a reader. Many on this forum (who know a little but about West Ham, y’know) use the expression “Halfkrug” as a quasi-denigratory reference to a half fit Fullkrug which has obviously gone over your head. If you even know who he is. Maybe pause and reflect before leaping in to bash out your keyboard insults next time.
Cheers for the back up Martin. I do like this place where we can all give our opinions and banter in a respectful manner and not take umbridge if people disagree or dont understand. Kepp up the good work. I like your passion and articles even if I have a different take on things somtimes 👍
No sure if I agree with the comparison to Chelsea. Todibo was just not as good as Disai and Dinos and couldn’t accept it. Perhaps he will only go some where he is automatic first choice no matter how he plays. Same with Fullkrug, disappointing attitude in the end. Not aware that AWB has been frozen out, maybe has just indicated that he wants to move on. I think JWP could have a role to play this season but the future is Kante, Magassa and Potts and whoever we sign so nothing to be hugely concerned about. Need to back the manager and be positive about the new season.
I can understand why they change players different styles of play etc BUT from what I saw we changed our game MORE (for the better)when Paco arrived than with ANY other manager since Moyes Yes some players act like spoilt brats Some like to be told in private It’s up to the manager to be able to MAN manage as well as know tactics Being manager doesn’t make him god Nono seems to think differently Respect will get him further than fear ever will
The introduction of Paco, and subsequent upturn in performance and results, also coincided with Paqueta leaving…. hmm?
Whu are not in same position as Chelsea and cannot afford to create a bomb squad out of pettyness.
These are grown men and Nuno taking umbridge over a one time nickname is childish.
He should have a one on one with Disarsi to appreciate what being isolated does to players.
Killman (maybe) and Todbido could solve defence problems but resolving this needs to come from Todbido.
Barrier is up for JWP due to speed but not injury prone and could be used as sub.
Fulkrug and Cornet need to go both have problems which whu can’t solve.
Bissaka still has some mileage Nuno can’t hold a grudge for one instance at Afcon.
Needs to talk to Rue de Silva and build some bridges.
We played so much better when Paqueta and Fullkrug left. Lots of rumours they were toxic in the dressing room
If Nuno wants a harmonious dressing room, then I support him 100%
AWB probably the one I would like reintegrated, didn’t see any sign of trouble from him. Just a few poor games
Preferring to stay on and celebrate with his international team mates rather than getting back to help his West Ham team mates in a relegation fight…… and then, when back on the field, playing with no intensity, displaying a blatant lack of desire to put in any noticeable effort.
A little more sinister than the “few poor games” that you suggest Steve. I want the guy nowhere near our team going forward
Steve1, maybe try getting your facts correct before making a sweeping statement like that and blaming the player, who actually had no choice in the matter. Thats the main issue with making comments here – people posting inaccurate or partially informed statements to criticise or make some kind of controversial point without having any knowledge of the facts or the actual event.
The reality is the DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi ordered the national team to remain in the country to celebrate their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, resulting in significant conflict with their European clubs.
After defeating Jamaica to qualify, the President withheld the players passports and ordered them to stay, preventing them from returning to their clubs until April 6, 2026.
European clubs including Lille, Espanyol, Betis, Newcastle, Burnley, and West Ham filed complaints with FIFA, arguing the federation unilaterally kept players and created a “dangerous precedent.”
AWB definitely hadn’t preferred to stay on and celebrate with his international team mates as you put it. Nothing sinister there at all on AWB’s behalf, however maybe a little by their president – allegedly. Maybe look into things a little before criticising and making such inaccurate posts – especially if your going to attempt to darken one of our players character in such a way!
Surely it is a case by case basis, much (but not all) depending on the player’s attitude.
JWP – great attitude but has fallen out with Nuno. Maybe he just needs to apologise but in any event is no longer a Prem player so not one for the future.
Tobido- has fallen out with 3x successive WHU managers and from what I understand a manager at each of his previous 2x clubs. Get him out.
Cornet – I’ve never heard anyone criticise his attitude at West Ham, his body has just broken down.
The end result is all 3x need to go but for different reasons.
Ultimately, in terms of attitude, if the player has a bad attitude then he has to go. Our future recruitment has got to be better. Tobido’s issues were in the public domain, so certainly the professional domain, so signing him was a mistake.
Fulkrug’s injury issues were known (albeit he had an injury free season before we bought him I believe) so questions on why we bought him.
Instances like these two must be an unusual occurrence in the future, not virtually the norm as became the case under the chaos of the last 3 yrs with 4x managers, one kiddy in a sweet shop Football Director (Steidten) and an interfering chairman who thought he knew better than the professionals.
Let’s hope for a period of stability, as we had under Moyes, getting back to the Prem and top 10 finishes…… with more ‘on the front foot football’ which has been lacking for too long.
The way to success is a unified team, everyone pulling in the same direction. The is no room for disrupters, be that the instant tantrums from the likes of Todibo or the more subtle snide comment behind the scenes, allegedly, from the supposedly quieter characters like JWP.
You are either on the bus, behind the project, backing the manager……… or you are not. Certain players by their actions, either on or off the field, have demonstrated that they do not want to be here. Whether they are sold, loaned or forced to train on their own, I want them nowhere near the team. I back Nuno all the way.
I think Nuno’s approach is bang on. Just because the previous board over paid for these players does not mean they have what it takes to get us out the Championship and back to the Premier League. We now need a mix of youth (Academy of Football….they now need to show what they have) and experience ala Soucek and Bowen plus a couple more ideally at the back. Already the new board of got everything and some out of the Fernandes sale and if a couple more are to go, let’s get top fees for them and then build again. For me, I am very excited for this season and complete club reset. Lets build both the team and club that fans have been crying out for for years and with the potential available, the sky is the limit
I don’t know about a “Bomb Squad”, but our club has certainly made some extremely expensive mistakes in the last few years. Now we are , apparently, stuck with them. Is it not , somehow, possible to get some return from some of them ? How does a club – West Ham – make such an expensive mess up as it has done with Fullkrug, Ward Prowse, Todibo, Cornet, Pablo & many others in recent years. It can’t just be the players’ fault, can it ? Nor can it just be the Managers’s !
Players today are getting too much power, the coach/manager needs them to do what they are asked to do to make the team work. If they don’t and throw a hissy fit to show they are rebellious against his authority then what other corse of action would you take? You could try talking to them but after that for me that is it. After all team keeps loosing and managers get the sack.