West Ham striker Joel Piroe and Nuno Espirito Santo

Joel Piroe and Nuno Espirito SantoBreaking Media/Imago

Three West Ham questions to emerge over the past seven days include Joel Piroe quandary

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Published on:

28 Sep 2026, 3:10 pm

The international break might just have come at the right time for West Ham United.

On the one hand, the Hammers are riding high in the Championship, sitting second and just two points off leaders Swansea City.

On the other, it has been an extremely busy start to the campaign, and West Ham had just come off an emotionally draining 2-2 draw with rivals Millwall - a game where they fought back from two goals down.

Nuno Espirito Santo has consequently had time to take stock, and really nail down the things West Ham have to work on when domestic action resumes.

So, there might be any West Ham football to speak about specifically.

But West Ham Zone has still picked out three questions supporters might have from the past seven days at the London Stadium.

Can Joel Piroe be effective for West Ham away from the London Stadium?

It didn't take a genius to figure out why West Ham moved for Joel Piroe during the summer transfer window.

Prior to moving to the London Stadium, Piroe's record in the Championship was 73 goals across four seasons.

The Dutch striker struggled to make the move up to the Premier League with Leeds United, and was allowed to join West Ham on loan with an obligation to buy.

Piroe has scored three goals for the Hammers thus far, but all three have come at home and he was hauled off at the break against Millwall after an ineffective performance.

So, we know Piroe is more than capable of scoring goals at this level, but can he be effective for West Ham away from the London Stadium? Hopefully, Nuno can find a way to make him so.

Joel Piroe among three West Ham players whose stock has risen this season

How do West Ham consistently get the best out of Kyle-Walker Peters?

The right-back spot is another that could give Nuno some room for thought.

Joel Veltman was injured in the 6-0 hammering of Wrexham, and Kyle Walker-Peters came on in that game to provide two assists.

But Walker-Peters was another struggler against Millwall, and was brought off at half-time.

When everyone is fit, will Nuno prefer the defensive solidity that the experienced Veltman brings? Or does the attacking threat that Walker-Peters has make him the right choice?

Walker-Peters definitely has the talent, but can he consistently perform for a team going for the title?

Is Mohamadou Kante the key to getting the best out of Arne Engels?

There has been talk this week that West Ham could look to give Mohamadou Kante a new contract to reflect his standing in the team.

So far, Nuno has largely opted to partner Divine Mukasa alongside Arne Engels, who West Ham forked out a second-tier record sum to sign from Celtic.

Mukasa and Engels undoubtedly have talent, but is it the case that bother are maybe a little too attack minded and it can cause an imbalance in the team?

In Kante, you have someone who is a little more willing to do the hard yards, and he could be a good foil for Engels.

His red card against Millwall means he is suspended next time out against QPR, of course, but long-term Kante - who has three goals this season - might be a player who just gives Nuno's line-up more balance.

Celtic Football Club