Nuno Believes Hammers Will Transform as Players Take Accountability for Poor Form
Nuno Espírito Santo has stated that the team's squad are eager to evolve and have accepted responsibility for the club's disappointing results over the last year and a half.
Nuno, who is the club’s third manager since the previous manager departed at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, is aiming to shift the atmosphere in the locker room after replacing his predecessor last weekend. The London club have been short on leadership, and there is a widespread acceptance among the squad that they played a role to Potter losing his position after less than a year.
“I find a good team of individuals,” Nuno said. “They are starting to understand that we have to change things. If we don’t change, things will remain unchanged. The players are ready to change. It's evident. So let’s embrace it and transform it.”
“This applies from skill-based, tactical, fitness-related, mentality, discipline, dialogue. Clear communication is a vital asset for us. We still don’t complete mastery of it. It has to be a fair and clear communication that we all participate in. They have held themselves accountable and are prepared to go.”
The Manager's Current Priorities
Nuno has had little time to settle in. He does not assembled his backroom staff yet, and the ex- Nottingham Forest manager is avoiding thoughts about what the team, in 19th place before visiting their next opponents on Saturday, can achieve this season. “My task is straightforward,” he explained. “It focuses on tomorrow.”
Set-Piece Concerns Facing West Ham
A significant worry for the coach is bolstering his team's defending at dead-ball situations. West Ham have conceded eight goals from corners this term – the latest goal allowed came in Nuno’s debut, Monday’s tie at Everton – and will be under constant scrutiny from set plays against Arsenal. The concern for him is that it becomes a mental problem.
“That's possible,” he said. “However, we'll attempt to avoid it. The biggest risk that can happen is that if an rival gets a corner, we start immediately thinking that we are in trouble. This could develop into a trauma.”
