Nuno Espirito Santo has bitten back after facing brutal criticism from Tomas Soucek, with the West Ham midfielder’s comments prompting fresh scrutiny of the manager.
The exchange will only add to the growing scrutiny on Nuno Espirito Santo and his actions ahead of the biggest weekend of West Ham’s season yet.
The two teams directly above the Hammers, Nottingham Forest and Leeds, went head-to-head on Friday night.
West Ham were going to be the big winners no matter what the result but it is Forest who are now directly in the team’s sights after they were beaten 3-1 at Elland Road.
Only if the Hammers do their bit and win at Burnley in another relegation six-pointer on Saturday.
Heat is on Nuno and for West Ham’s must-win Burnley clash
West Ham’s board have told Nuno what is expected against Burnley and the pressure is on.
While the Hammers have, on the whole, been far more competitive under Nuno than they were under the hapless Graham Potter, some of his tactics and team selections have raised serious question marks.
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It has not only been fans questioning them either.
When a key senior Hammers star like Tomas Soucek speaks, everyone should listen.
And the big Czech did not mince his words about Nuno’s tactics this week.
Tomas Soucek during West Ham United v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Soucek’s dig at Nuno is exactly what West Ham fans have been saying as he questioned the manager defaulting to defensive tactics when the team is ahead in matches.
Especially given the Hammers have thrown away a mammoth 18 points from winning positions under Nuno.
Even if West Ham had held on for half of those points, they would be level with bitter rivals Spurs in 14th place and be much more assured of survival.
Soucek has more than earned the right to speak his mind on all matters relating to West Ham.
But now Nuno has bitten back at brutal criticism from the senior West Ham star.
Nuno bites back at Soucek’s brutal criticism over tactics
The pressure is on Nuno and the team against Burnley and nothing but victory will suffice.
West Ham supporters have been angered by Nuno’s default second half tactics when the side are ahead.
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All too often, West Ham will take the lead but end up blowing it and collapsing.
Many supporters feel Nuno’s negative tactical changes, such as bringing off hard-working striker Pablo for flop Max Kilman when winning at Chelsea, are to blame for that.
Nuno Espirto Santo during West Ham's Premier League game with Wolves.
Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Soucek criticised Nuno’s tactics in the wake of the Chelsea surrender, urging him to stop going defensive and instead keep pushing for more goals.
The experienced midfielder said ‘attack is the best form of defence’ and pleaded with the head coach to change his mentality.
Now Nuno has reacted to those comments.
He explained why he brought Kilman on at Chelsea and admitted his changes did not work.
But he also put the emphasis back on the players to ensure they maintain their standards for 90 minutes, not only an hour.
Nuno holds hands up but tells West Ham stars to up standards
“We have analysed it and looked at things, and we have to find solutions going forward,” Nuno told the press ahead of Burnley.
“We spent a lot of energy pressing high in the game, and playing so well offensively, and after about 55-60 minutes we felt that energy getting away.
“We tried to rebalance the team with an extra body and it didn’t work out, so the challenge is to keep the standards throughout the whole match.
“The positives are that we played some really good football, we just need to sustain that going forward. The players are hurting, and they will be ready to go on Saturday, to show a reaction.”
Now Nuno must go and out prove he has learned his lesson with his gameplan for Burnley.
If the Hammers are winning the game, he must instruct his side to keep on the front foot and push for more goals.
Especially as West Ham’s defence, the worst in the Premier League, is not reliable enough to sit back and soak up pressure.
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