Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to take the vacant West Ham job currently looks very brave or a tad desperate: Mired in a board versus supporters conflict (situation normal for most of the last 10 years!) the Hammers’ London stadium is not a happy home at present. Fans haven’t seen a home win this season and the threatened boycott called by fan group Hammers United hardly makes for an atmosphere to strengthen player resolve or quicken the pulse tonight.
So the Portuguese head coach has his work cut out to instil the tenacity and will to win required to dig in and if necessary, to win ugly.
Predecessor Potter presided over a side that leaked goals and frequently ‘caved in’ once the first went in, so those home supporters that do attend tonight – and there’ll be many thanks to huge cut-price selling of tickets to bolster the numbers-will be delighted if the Hammers leave with that rare commodity of three points and a clean sheet.
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But it might not be pretty, on or off the pitch.
The unpopular Chris Sutton might have a point for once:
” [Like Nuno Espïrito Santo] Brentford boss Keith Andrews also likes to park the bus, so I don’t see there being many chances at either end, or much ambition to score.
“I can feel myself edging towards another 0-0 prediction but instead I am going to be optimistic and say there will be a goal… and a first West Ham win for Nuno.”
Should Nuno find a way of unlocking the pace of Bowen and Summerville, the Hammers can certainly trouble any defence in the country. But style points aren’t important tonight: For the supporters, the players who’ve been on the end of a year and a half of pretty poor results, the troubled club, and for himself, Nuno needs a win to pour oil on troubled waters.
However much supporters may claim to face both ways and support the players but not the board, amassing points on the pitch is the surest way to ease the toxicity at London Stadium.