By Conor Hogan
**A recent Premier League stat has emphasised a key issue in West Ham’s game this season.**
A West Ham supporter recently shared a statistical feature on social media produced by Football365, which reimagined the Premier League table based on match duration. The feature illustrated how the standings would look if fixtures ended before the full ninety minutes, presenting alternative tables at the 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75-minute marks.
West Ham have been criticised for dropping points from winning positions this campaign, and these alternative tables are a damning indictment of how the Hammers have let games get away from them in the closing stages.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have had a tendency to start games at a blistering pace, especially in recent times. The Irons have scored the opening goal in each of their last four Premier League games, but have picked up only six points from twelve in that run.
According to these alternative tables, this is how West Ham would be positioned if matches ended after:
15 minutes – 4th place (32 pts, +1 GD)30 minutes – 7th place (32 pts, +1 GD)Half-time – 12th place (32 pts, -1 GD)60 minutes – 17th place (26 pts, -9 GD)75 minutes – 18th place (21 pts, -18 GD)
Full-time – 18th place (20 pts, -19 GD)
The Irons have struggled to see out games after half-time, with Nuno’s side dropping valuable points against the likes of Chelsea, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Brighton in recent months.
Although Nuno must take some of the blame for his substitutions and his approach to games after taking the lead, the Hammers’ squad depth has also played its part. West Ham’s tendency to start quickly has cost them at times this season, as the team are clearly fatigued after 60 minutes and Nuno doesn’t have adequate resources to deal with the issue.
The Hammers’ boss hasn’t been helped by the mass departures at London Stadium last month. Despite acquiring four new players, West Ham’s squad is as thin as ever following the departures of seven — yes, SEVEN — first-team players.
Although the Hammers have shown great heart in games, Nuno needs to rethink his approach. Playing well for 60 minutes is no good if the Irons ultimately don’t get results by full-time. The 52-year-old has been hindered by the club’s insistence on releasing their assets, but he must use what he has to mould a side that is solid throughout the ninety.