What changes have led to West Ham’s turnaround in form, and why is the contrast from just a few months ago so great?
Just months after looking destined for relegation, West Ham now sit three points from safety. Victories over Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland highlight a dramatic turnaround under Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham have won three of the last five in all competitions, with impressive results deriving from tactical change, improvement in individual performances and the January signings of strikers Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos.
These adjustments have had a major impact on a side that was winless in 10 before mid-January, with consecutive 0-3 and 2-1 losses to fellow relegation battlers Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
Tactically, Nuno has shown signs of adaptability, with the Portuguese boss abandoning his previous tactics to allow star-signing Matheus Fernandes more freedom in midfield.
This allows the Portuguese midfielder to receive the ball in creative areas, a far better role for a player who thrives when roaming in possession. This means the Portuguese midfielder can receive the ball in areas where he can create, a far more positive role for a player that clearly has the ability to roam freely in possession.
Previously, Nuno would play a rigid 4-2-3-1 system, with Crysencio Summerville regularly moving centrally to overload in that area of the pitch. However, the issue with this is that the Dutchman would often have his back to goal, preventing him from using his greatest strength, to drive at defenders.
This led to Summerville’s goal threat being reduced, as he provided just three assists in 13 games, and only had 0.15 xG per 90. In the last six, his numbers have increased as he has scored four and assisted one, and averages 0.28 xG per 90, showing that his goal threat has been lifted.
The signings of strikers Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos have also been crucial in the new way the Irons play. Castellanos will often receive the ball just outside the final third, making quick exchanges to play either Jarrod Bowen or Summerville in behind.
Pablo often makes similar runs to the Argentinian but will drive into wide areas, to offer more support when either winger is being pressed.
These are the key tactical switches that have meant West Ham look far more positive as of late, helping to win points in massive games. The reason for this recent transformation is not purely tactical though, as the team morale seems far higher, coupled with a sense of unity that was not present beforehand.
Former Rayo Vallecano boss Paco Jemez was added to the coaching staff, coinciding with West Ham’s uplift in form. Whilst much of the help he has given is tactical, with academy graduate Freddie Potts praising his defensive style of play, the Spaniard is a great man-manager with Potts also highlighting togetherness as a positive since his arrival.
This is the belief that the Hammers are going to need if they want to stay in the Premier League, as setbacks, like the fresh Pablo Felipe injury, or the late heartbreak at Stamford Bridge are difficult to avoid.
Survival now seems realistic, rather than hopeful, especially if this momentum is continued. The next Premier League fixture is on the 21 February against in-form Bournemouth, a huge game for West Ham.
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