Rumours are continuing that [Nuno Espírito Santo](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nuno-espirito-santo-we-change-immediately/) has had little support from the board and his demands to bring in his own backroom staff at West Ham has led to internal disputes and ongoing issues.
I was led to believe, having written previously that this issue had been resolved, yet with only Rui Barbosa joining as goalkeeper coach, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by the club, there has been no additional movement, with the board standing firm on the promotion of academy coaches as the first team support.
Tactical decisions have baffled fans and pundits alike—most notably the deployment of left-back Scarles on the right flank and the controversial choice to start matches without a recognised striker. The situation has become so surreal that some have joked about seeing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola leading the line in upcoming fixtures.
The Brentford game should have provided enough evidence yet this was ignored and continued at Elland Road – four goals conceded and nil points over two games.
Woeful statistics say it all
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The Hammers currently hold the unenviable record for most goals conceded from set pieces and ranks 19th in the league for high-speed distance and sprinting—metrics that point to a worrying lack of intensity and organisation.
Perhaps most damning is the historical context, between Graham Potter’s tenure and Santo’s current reign, West Ham has endured its worst start to a season in 93 years, managing just a handful of points from nine matches.
As the pressure mounts, the question remains, will the board back their manager with the resources and autonomy he needs, or will internal politics continue to undermine progress on the pitch? One thing is clear—something has to give, and soon.