Sam Allardyce shares one thing Nuno Espirito Santo must do from what he knows about West Ham fans
West Ham United started life under Nuno Espirito Santo with a 1-1 draw at Everton.
West Ham sacked Graham Potter after just five league games and former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno was appointed manager. The Hammers only picked up three points in that period under Potter – ironically against Nuno‘s Forest side.
West Ham were resilient in their draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but a common trend still lingered.
West Ham once again conceded from a set-piece, but they did pick up their first point away from home this season as Jarrod Bowen‘s equaliser secured them a vital draw.
Sam Allardyce says Nuno Espirito Santo must make the London Stadium a fortress
Sam Allardyce managed West Ham from 2011 to 2015, and guided them back to the Premier League in his first season as Hammers boss.
The Irons have not won a single game at home this season, and the 70-year-old claims Nuno must prioritise this if they are to get back on track.
On Allardyce’s podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, he said: “We are only six games in, and their performances and results have been so poor. Most importantly, at home.
“If you are going to survive, survive by winning at home.
“It’s lovely winning away, and it’s very difficult to win away, but you are sending your home fans home happy.
“It’s not an easy place for your players to play, or your manager, when it’s not going well at West Ham. As much as they like to get behind the team, they will show their disapproval as well.”
West Ham’s first home game in the Nuno era will be against Brentford on 20 October.
The London Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for visitors this season as the Hammers have conceded 10 goals in three games at their home stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo must generate an unbeaten run at the London Stadium
Although it is still relatively early in the season, getting West Ham’s home form on track is imperative to their survival.
Supporters have complained about the London Stadium since they moved in 2016, and insist it does not feel like a home fit for West Ham.
But there have been several games where the home team have shone on the pitch and created memories that will last a lifetime.
| 20 October | Brentford |
| 2 November | Newcastle United |
| 8 November | Burnley |
| 30 November | Liverpool |
| 13 December | Aston Villa |
The Hammers’ next five home Premier League fixtures offer a mixed bag for Nuno.
Against the likes of Brentford and Burnley, he can boast their attacking quality in Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, but when facing Liverpool and Newcastle, the likes of Max Kilman and Soungoutou Magassa must step up to the plate when it comes to their defence.
The next few months will be bumpy for West Ham as they go through a transitional period, but they have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate they are an adaptable side that can square up to any opposition in the league.
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