Arne Engels is staring Nuno Espirito Santo in the face to solve West Ham issue with Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United have some problems to solve before they can start thinking about promotion.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are now three games without a win in all competitions after back-to-back Championship draws.

The latest of which came on Friday night, as the Hammers were held to a 1-1 stalemate with QPR.

As such, the Irons now sit third in the table after nine games, which isn't bad, but it's not the top spot where many thought they'd be all term.

One of the main issues facing West Ham right now is their poor record from the penalty spot.

But in summer signing Arne Engels, Nuno can solve it so long as he has the nerve to make a big call.

What is Arne Engels' career record from the penalty spot?

West Ham have been awarded three penalties in the Championship so far this season, but have only converted one of them.

Taty Castellanos kick-started this unwanted trend against Charlton in the second game of the season, missing a chance to earn a point in added time.

Jarrod Bowen then followed in his footsteps against QPR, with his 91st-minute spot kick repelled by Pierce Charles, and three points with it.

Indeed, it's Bowen who scored the one they did convert against Wolves, but you're only as good as your last penalty kick.

Nuno now needs to remove the Hammers skipper from penalty duties, and hand that responsibility over to Engels.

As detailed via Transfermarkt, the Belgian didn't miss a single one of his 12 penalties taken during his time with Celtic.

In fact, of the 19 career penalties he's stepped up for, he's scored 16 of them and missed only three times.

That's a conversion rate from the spot of 84.2 per cent, which is enough to label him as a genuine penalty specialist.

West Ham's next game is against Lincoln City on Wednesday night, but what are the Irons' chances of earning a penalty against the Imps?

How many penalties have Lincoln City conceded this season?

After storming to the League One title last season with 103 points, Lincoln City have made a solid start to life in the Championship.

The Imps have taken 11 points from their first nine games, and have won two and lost two from their last four outings.

West Ham could have a tough time figuring them out on Wednesday, and so any possible chance from the penalty spot must be taken.

Fourteen Championship teams have conceded one or more penalties this term, but of the 10 who haven't, Lincoln are one of them.

So, this again shows why West Ham can't afford to pass up a penalty on Wednesday night if they get one, as the Imps don't tend to give them away.