Rival club West Ham United are in hot water, currently propping up the Premier League table. Their abysmal season opening has left them in a bit of a pickle. His team’s lone victory this season is something he would like to shift the energy toward. Their woes were compounded further following a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Elland Road on Saturday. The defeat yells glaring problems in the team, most notably their inability to defend the ball or their lack of courage to take it and go forward.
The grim new lows continued this week, as the loss to Leeds was a new nadir for West Ham. For them to go and concede that opening goal within three minutes, and for it to be scored by Brenden Aaronson of all people. Joe Rodon then made it 2-0 to Leeds soon after, scoring with a header from a corner. Although Jarrod Bowen managed to assist Mateus Fernandes to reduce the deficit, it was not enough to secure any points for West Ham.
A Season to Forget
The gravity of West Ham’s present predicament is particularly shocking, with them currently going through their equal-worst start to a Premier League campaign. The team suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the London Stadium only four days before traveling to Leeds. Yet their paucity of shape is simply not sustainable. They have just one win in their last ten games in all competitions. Instead, they’re now searching for not only consistency, but confidence altogether on the gridiron.
It must be said that the loss to Leeds really did show some glaring weaknesses on West Ham defense. Their weakness defending crosses and corners was massively exposed, with Leeds able to punish poor set piece defence easily. In addition, Leeds players were more physical than West Ham in terms of raising the intensity level, with almost seven kilometers more running during the game. This gap leads us to question the team’s precision and long-game investment.
Even worsening it was the admission of Nuno Espirito Santo, coach of West Ham, that their plight was serious. Most importantly, he challenged the team to accept the brutal truth of being the second to last in the league. He focused on the need for them to seriously raise the bar.
“You can’t come out here and say anything different. You can’t say anything positive or anything in that way. You have to face the reality of where we are: second bottom and we’re in trouble now. We have to accept that.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Calls for Change
Given these hurdles, Bowen has been the most outspoken of late that a different mentality is required among this team. After the game against Leeds, he launched a stinging attack on his teammates for lacking courage and intensity during the game. He demanded that they do a much better job. Bowen’s comments reflect a broader concern about the team’s attitude and determination as they navigate this tumultuous period.
“This is the Premier League and we need to really pull our finger out. As we’re in a real situation. We have to face the reality of that, the sooner it starts hitting everyone, it needs to change.” – Jarrod Bowen
The players’ collective desire and effort is essential if West Ham want any chance of turning this disastrous campaign around. Defensive, midfield, and attacking gaps are starting to show glaringly. The team needs to come together and address these issues before it’s time to head home!
So, ahead of the trip to Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo agreed with Bowen’s comments and called for a more aggressive attitude on the pitch. He emphasized that players must take accountability for their performances and understand that mere talent is insufficient without a strong work ethic.
“It’s just not brave enough, not doing the jobs good enough until the end.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
Looking Ahead
As West Ham look toward some very winnable fixtures coming up, the need for a quick response grows more urgent. Those players now face the task of regaining form and making tactical adjustments to fight back against a gruesome run of form. With a fierce relegation fight for competition next season, they will need to avoid more blunders if they hope to stay in the top flight of English football.
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