Nuno plays dangerous game with David Sullivan as West Ham transfer plea made
Nuno Espirito Santo wants to tread carefully at West Ham when it comes to transfer requests with David Sullivan.
The Hammers are in freefall, with West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Brighton at the London Stadium on Tuesday, certainly doing little to improve matters.
Nuno is facing pressure over his West Ham job, having only won on two occasions since replacing Graham Potter, despite being in charge for 14 games now.
West Ham are in a relegation battle and the need for signings is there for all to see.
However, given the uncertainty over Nuno‘s job, the plea he’s just made to Sullivan could be self-destructive.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s January wish to David Sullivan could backfire instantly
Things almost looked to be turning around when West Ham won consecutive games before the November international break.
But that two-week break may have been the worst possible thing that could have happened to the Hammers.
- West Ham are winless in eight
- The Hammers have averaged just one goal a game in their past eight matches
- West Ham have conceded 15 during this period
West Ham’s current form suggests that relegation will become a reality at the end of the season, and signings are essential to hopes of survival.
Despite this, Nuno still needs to be careful about how much he asks Sullivan for in the January window, as the Hammers boss has now laid his wishes on the table.
Nuno said, as quoted by West Ham‘s official website: “It’s clear in terms of our squad that we need to rebalance. We need to make the right moves in a very difficult transfer window to operate.
“We need, so we can improve and have more options for the second half of the season.
“I have a clear idea about everything, the areas [I want to strengthen], the names. I have a clear idea because this is our job and it’s up to us to then pass this information to the club so the club are aware of what we need – and we need.
“[The window] coming in a couple of days, and the reflection is clear so the sooner [we make signings] the better.”
If Nuno does get his signings, he’d better hope he can start winning games of football quickly, or he’ll be long gone come February.
Nuno may well have names in mind, but that is not how Sullivan operates. It leaves the two men very much on a collision course, as many others have been prior to the Portuguese.
The final-third findings that are holding Nuno back
West Ham’s defence has been criticised for poor performances at the back since Nuno’s arrival, with goals leaking from just about anywhere.
But the 51-year-old actually has a main issue in attack that is being overlooked.
| Team | Final-third passes |
| West Ham | 185 |
| Opponents | 420 |
From the past three games, the Irons have been heavily outperformed in the final-third passes department.
A side that shows any signs of creativity can find movement in the final third, to provide strikers and forwards with goal-scoring opportunities.
Underlying data is important, and new signings may not be able to fix the holes in Nuno’s tactical flaws.
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