West Ham's manager Believes Hammers Will Change as Squad Members Take Responsibility for Poor Form
Nuno Espírito Santo has declared that the team's squad are ready to evolve and have accepted blame for the team's disappointing results over the past 18 months.
The Portuguese manager, who is the club’s third manager since the previous manager left at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, is striving to improve the atmosphere in the dressing room after taking over from his predecessor last weekend. The London club have been short on leadership, and there is a widespread acknowledgment among the squad that they contributed to Potter departing from his position after less than a year.
“I've encountered a good team of individuals,” Nuno said. “They're beginning to understand that we must change our approach. Without change, results will be the same. They are ready to adapt. I can see it. So let’s embrace it and transform it.”
“This applies from skill-based, strategic, physical, mentality, discipline, communication. Clear communication is a vital asset for us. We currently lack have it fully. It has to be a honest and transparent exchange that we share. They have accounted themselves responsible and are prepared to move forward.”
The Manager's Immediate Priorities
The new boss has had little time to settle in. He hasn't assembled his backroom staff yet, and the former Nottingham Forest manager is not thinking about what the team, 19th before facing their next opponents on the weekend, can accomplish this season. “My role is straightforward,” he said. “It focuses on the immediate future.”
Defensive Concerns for West Ham
A significant worry for the coach is bolstering his team's defending at dead-ball situations. The club have shipped multiple goals from corner kicks this season – the most recent concession came in Nuno’s debut, Monday’s tie at Everton – and will be under constant pressure from dead balls against their upcoming rivals. The worry for Nuno is that it turns into a mental problem.
“It can,” he admitted. “But we will try to avoid it. The biggest risk that can occur is that if an rival gets a corner, we begin immediately believing that we are in trouble. This could become a trauma.”
