There’s certainly no hiding the fact that on Saturday afternoon it was yet again another dismal evening, and one that has most certainly fired up the fanbase to the point where the Hammers have dropped down to 8th, and the talk of Nuno Espírito Santo being sacked is reappearing on a bigger scale.
It would be begrudging to discuss the misery of the West Brom result in detail, so it’s better to focus on the manager himself and the talks surrounding the club.
The question that is posed that is best served in the form of a percentage, is, to what scale is Nuno Espírito Santo to blame in comparison to the players?
There’s no secret that the Hammers tend to always have a poor start, conceding first, which is almost always followed by a wave of intensity, which is a West Ham side we’re all more fond of. Take the Southampton game as a great example. West Ham go 2-0 down. No player goes to the manager, but when the referee blows his whistle, somehow the side is kicked into third gear, and chances are being formed, and energy is on display.
There are discussions that Nuno picks the team, the tactics and whatnot all hold significant weight, but just how much are the players to blame for their own actions on the pitch? On Saturday afternoon, going down once we saw that energy on display, but going down a second time the team capitulated at home once again. Is the pressure from the bowl too much? The Hammers have lost three games this campaign, all of which have been at home, where the environment is persistently toxic unless we’re winning. No, in between.
A very small portion of managers ever recover from the moment when sacking rumours circulate, and no matter the run of form West Ham go on, after 2-3 dismal results in a row, especially in this division, it is inevitable that opinions will arise.
Along with posing the question of how much is Nuno to blame, the other question is that if he were to be replaced, who would the Hammers get?
Is there a better option out there than Nuno? Or should the club stick rather than twist.
A win on Wednesday against Cardiff City would ever so slightly ease the pressure, but anything other than a victory would only pile on to what is seemingly becoming inevitable.
Comments
The blame sits with the Board
With or without S&B the buck stops there.
They have one really important strategic job and that's the selection or dismissal of a Manager yet time and time again they get it WRONG.
Numbnuts was never going to be the answer, our uplift in form last season came when Paco arrived, the board rewarded this bearded clown goal keeper with a chance to make good in the Chumps league and are we really surprised with the outcome?
Lack of Leadership on the board, dressing room and pitch.
someone has to realise we are losing games not through bad luck but simply not good enough. Zero motivation that comes from the manager looking forward to the sack and £8M compensation.
So after 13 games in the
So after 13 games in the Championship. Here is my assessment.
Once we found ourselves in this league and Nuno and Bowen in particular. Had pledged there allegiance to the cause. I thought, given Nunos track record with Wolves in the Championship and his promotion. Notwithstanding the massive points tally he accumulated. I thought there was no better man for the job.
If I could of had my pick of managers at that time. That would have been interested to come to the BOM. Given his credentials, Nuno was the standout candidate. Plus he knew the players and the set up.
Fast forward to now. It's a mess. Nuno always picks the wrong starting 11. So there is nobody else to lay the blame at. I genuinely think the players try there best, theres no Man Utd syndrome here. No Martinez, no Fernandes type scenarios.
The tactics cannot be right. Otherwise why do the defence make so many mistakes? What is Nunos obsession with playing Pablo as the main goal scorer. Is it because he is a Nuno signing? Taty is also a Nuno signing. But I think Taty's histrionics show him up in this league. Why does Piroe not get a look in? It's beyond ridiculous.
I have a real issue with Engles. I don't fancy him one bit as the playmaker. He has scored no goals and is a younger version and not as accurate with his delivery by the way. As JWP. 23 million or whatever it was, wasted in my opinion.
I would play Orford there instead, then if that does not work. I'd try Kante with Soucek. Soloman does not cut it. Asbo is the future in this position. Piroe has to be the target man. We have a strong squad for this division, A forward thinking younger attack minded manager would be drooling with anticipation at getting these players playing well.
I've heard Rob Edwards name mentioned. Thomas Frank also. I'm sure there's plenty of alternatives. But someone needs to be sounded out, and quick, before it's too late. Yes we are only 6 points off the lead. But under Nuno, this is a massive gap. A new Manager and hopefully a new manager bounce would soon close that.
So for me. It's goodbye Nuno, International break approaching. The writing must be on the wall. If we lose to Cardiff, thats it, Nuno goodnight Vienna.....
Good time to sack
Howe (waiting for man u), mckenna out of work, edwards. Frank. Prob 4 managers that wud get more out of the squad imo. Yeah squad is bit raw, and not great options.
Seems players are losing their confidence in nuno maybe
Motivation
A total lack of it from the players and the manager and so we get the displays shown against the Saints and WBA. Are their players that much better than ours? i do not think so but what you do see are players clearly motivated and understanding what the manager wants and putting in the performances from a properly coached gameplan and that my friends is what we are most certainly lacking in.
With money going to be tight
With money going to be tight in January. I think we need a strong manager who is not afraid to kick these players up the arse. If we can't get Bellamy. It has to be Paulo DiCanio for me. He knows the club. He knows the fans. At least we will be assured off more effort & fight.