Leeds United face a wounded West Ham side this Friday night, looking to heap the misery on Nuno Espirito Santo following a bleak 2-0 defeat to Brentford last night.
United need a reaction this week after their defeat away at Burnley. That performance was by no means good enough at both ends of the pitch and in the middle, and more is required.
Up next is another side down the bottom end of the table, 19th-placed West Ham, who have only just played on Monday night at home to Brentford.
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Misery worsens for West Ham after Brentford defeat on Monday night
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to kickstart West Ham’s season after Graham Potter was rightly dismissed at the end of September.
Four games for Nuno have brought just a single point in the Premier League, his latest a damning 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford, amidst the backdrop of fan protests at the London Stadium.
Ex-Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville looking dejected as West Ham struggle at home to Brentford. (REUTERS/Tony O Brien)
The Bees peppered the West Ham goal throughout, creating five ‘big chances’, taking 22 shots, winning 10 corners. Ultimately, Keith Andrews’ side found their breakthrough as Igor Thiago bundled in the opener just before half-time.
Midfielder Mathias Jensen made sure of the win deep in stoppage time as the few remaining Irons fans in the ground flooded to the exits.
Nuno Espirito Santo makes damning six-word West Ham verdict ahead of Leeds meeting
Nuno and the Irons have very little time to dwell on their current plight. Leeds are ready and waiting for a reaction this Friday at Elland Road under the lights.
Speaking post-match about his West Ham side, Nuno didn’t pull any punches.
“It was a difficult evening for us. Nobody’s going to sleep tonight and rightly so,” Nuno told West Ham’s site. “It was not good enough. We have to be strong in every moment, in every duel. Individually, we have to improve. We have to win our own duels so we can, as a team, improve.”
“We need to be stronger down the road [starting at Leeds]. The good thing is it’s coming soon. It’s coming fast in four days’ time. And we have to show another situation, another face, if you want, of ourselves.
“We must improve so many things.”
No hiding: Leeds United must beat West Ham after miserable evening vs Brentford
There is no two ways about it. Leeds have to get three points on Friday night against this turgid West Ham side.
Of course, they’ll be looking for a turnaround. Ironically, we’ve got previous for giving teams a jumpstart in the relegation battle.
Nuno hasn’t really improved much yet at West Ham. So, the physicality that Leeds will hopefully play with should cause a lot of problems for them.
If we don’t come away with three points, you do really worry how long Daniel Farke’s got in the job all of a sudden.
Read more: Leeds gain unique advantage over West Ham for Friday’s game…