The difference is stark: West Ham’s early season winless run of 10 matches that coincided with Nuno’s arrival contrasts totally with the Hammers’ turnaround in form from January onwards.
The club have played eleven and lost only two, against Liverpool and Chelsea.
The catalyst that cause the change?
That’d be down to the arrival of assistant manager Paco Jemez mid-January.
The losing streak was abruptly halted with the FA Cup win, albeit after extra time, against Queens Park Rangers and the Hammers haven’t looked back since.Whilst the relegation battle rages on, the Irons have now moved within striking distance of both Nottingham Forest and Spurs – with seven games to go, the hope and optimism is back.
Paco Jémez has transformed morale at West Ham United
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Jemez explains the dire situation when he arrived at West Ham and how he set about turning things around in a report today in ‘diario de ibiza’, (Jemez had previously managed the Spanish side Ibiza)- and relayed via sportwitness.co.uk:
“More than tactical issues, the first thing was to change the dynamic and the morale, which was very low. Not only of the players, but also of everyone involved.
“We had to bring joy, make training sessions more dynamic, and get the team to play with less pressure. Little by little, the team has been finding a different rhythm.”
Morale was evidently through the floor, which was hardly surprising after some players were trying to adapt to their fourth manager in two years. What Jemez has done as Nuno’s number two is unique for the Spaniard who has only ever been the top dog himself before: A remarkable effort and transformation appears to be – almost – complete. As for West Ham’s chances of kicking on from here, Jemez is resolute:
“We’ve managed to level the playing field. Before, we were far behind; now everything looks different. There’s more confidence and more joy….
“We believe in staying up, without a doubt. It’s not over yet. There are eight games left, and everything is decided now”