The Five Things Nuno Espirito Santo Has To Fix To Turn West Ham Around

Nuno Espirito Santo would have joined West Ham United knowing how big a job he would have on his hands as new manager.

The former Nottingham Forest coach left fans emotional after he left the City Ground following what was an excellent season when he helped guide the club into Europe.

Ange Postecoglou replaced Nuno in what seemed controversial to some but the Portuguese coach landed on his feet just a short time after his sacking.

Graham Potter was binned by West Ham and that opened the door for Nuno to join the Irons and he immediately earned his new club a point in his first match in the dugout with a 1-1 draw away to Everton.

It was certainly a decent start considering the Toffees had started their Premier League season well but there remains a lot of work for Nuno to do to ensure improvement and a catapult up the division.

But what are some issues the boss has to fix? We’ve looked at five elements of WHU’s campaign so far…

West Ham goals conceded from corners

The Hammers have faced 43 corners this season from just six matches so far, which is a significant number of set-pieces to allow.

From those they have conceded eight goals already and that certainly has to stop from Nuno’s perspective. The record of concessions in a solitary EPL season is 16 and they are on their way to a seriously unwanted statistic.

Nuno absolutely must make it more difficult for opposition teams to bully his side in their set-up from defensive corners.

Lack of West Ham Premier League goals

West Ham have banged in just six strikes this season from the same number of games and that is not good enough in front of goal.

Granted they are simply six matches into their campaign but improvement is needed. Last season the Hammers netted 46 in 38 but Nuno’s Forest side impressed with 58.

The coach knows how to get his teams scoring goals and while there’s no transfer window for him right now to work on bringing in his own players, he does have the likes of Callum Wilson and Niclas Füllkrug on hand up top to try and replicate what Chris Wood did for the boss last term.

Get West Ham’s top stars back onside

Some of the club’s top players are yet to get going this season but it’s unknown whether or not that was a Potter issue.

Jarrod Bowen has looked interested, certainly, but it has been a quiet six fixtures for others like Aston Villa target Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville and Tomas Soucek.

The manager will have to whip these lads into shape and get them going again if he and his club are to stand a chance of improving.

Make West Ham squad his own and unafraid to make the big calls

James Ward-Prowse was dropped by Nuno against Everton and that was seen by some sections of the support as being a good call.

The England international has started the season statically and has been the subject of complaints with former gaffer Potter persisting with the 30-year-old.

Nuno signaled his intent to make the big decisions without fear of backlash and that should stand him in good stead to earn the player and fan respect early.

West Ham number of goals conceded

West Ham have already dropped 14 goals in the division after just six but they absolutely must be harder to beat going forward.

Last season wasn’t a great one for the club, either, as they shipped 62 but they seem to be on their way to surpassing that number.

Forest, meanwhile, shut up shop at the back under Nuno last year and lost only 46 in their 38.

The Portuguese – a goalkeeper during his playing career – has to act fast in strengthening that area of his side’s game on the training pitch but he has the history of doing so.