West Ham star James Ward-Prowse stands at the London Stadium, as manager Nuno Espirito Santo stares at him from a circular inset.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago
Evan Shaw
Thu 30 October 2025 14:40, UK
Nuno Espirito Santo appears to be fighting to keep his job at West Ham already after some dismal results in recent weeks.
The Hammers have picked up a solitary point from the Portuguese’s four games in charge so far, and it is now six games since their last win in the Premier League.
It has already been suggested that Nuno is coming under intense pressure at West Ham from above him in the hierarchy, and he has quickly found himself in firefighting mode just over a month into the job.
Recent results have further highlighted the fact that there are deep-rooted problems at the London Stadium, and the 51-year-old has to quickly turn things around before relegation becomes a very realistic possibility.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo in a press conference at the London Stadium.
Credit: Imago
James Ward-Prowse could hold the key to West Ham turnaround
Lucas Paqueta is ready to turn his back on West Ham in the January transfer window, as things look set to go from bad to worse for the East Londoners.
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The Hammers look devoid of energy and quality at the moment, and that should have the alarm bells ringing for Nuno and his staff.
He may have the perfect solution to his team’s issues at the club already, but that will mean he has to reconcile his personal issues with James Ward-Prowse.
The pair have a feud which stems from their time together at Nottingham Forest last season, and the boss wasted no time in quickly cutting the 30-year-old adrift from his plans when he took the reins a few weeks ago.
Ward-Prowse started the opening five league games under Graham Potter
He hasn’t been involved in a single matchday squad since Nuno’s arrival
Nuno cancelled his loan at Forest after just 10 appearances last season
No West Ham player has created more big chances, despite Ward-Prowse having missed the last four games
The disagreement between the pair is baffling, and it is now at the stage where it is harming the team, as Ward-Prowse can provide key attributes that are missing from the group at the moment.
The England international is energetic and wears his heart on his sleeve, two things which are lacking in the current midfield.
When you then throw in the fact that his set-piece delivery would be invaluable to a team who are struggling to create like West Ham are, then it is surely a no-brainer for Nuno to put his issues to the side.
West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse running during a game.
Credit: Imago
Ward-Prowse may hold the key to reinvigorating the team and saving Nuno’s job, and it would be foolish for him to overlook that.
The Hammers would regret James Ward-Prowse sale
West Ham are keen to sell James Ward-Prowse in the January window, and concerns have already been raised about them parting ways with a player who would be ideal for a relegation battle.
The midfielder’s bizarre loan spell with Nottingham Forest last season certainly hasn’t helped his career, as prior to that, in the 2023-24 campaign, he was a key player for West Ham and notched 14 Premier League goal contributions.
Nuno may not see eye to eye with the veteran, but the reality is that if he is sold in January, then he will go elsewhere and become an effective player once again, potentially even for a direct rival.
West Ham’s struggles have felt constant since David Moyes’ departure, but it would undoubtedly be a new low for them if a player who was written off by Nuno eventually helped to contribute to their relegation at another club.
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