Analyse this! | Bleak truth for Nuno’s backroom team

With plenty of downcast expressions across Essex and London yesterday, the post-match analysis by West Ham’s backroom staff and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo makes for bleak reading.

If it was part of an appraisal at work then special measures would be introduced.

To put it bluntly, every player who donned the claret and blue on Monday night should feel deeply embarrassed.

Brentford’s Michael Kayode carved out six chances in open play—more than any Brentford player has ever managed in a Premier League match. In the first half alone, the Bees unleashed 15 shots to West Ham’s solitary effort, setting a new club record for most attempts in an away Premier League fixture. By full-time, Brentford had racked up 22 shots, seven on target, an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.3, 42 touches in the Hammers’ box, and ten corners.

West Ham, by contrast, posted an xG of just 0.33, with seven shots, only one on target, and six corners.

Nuno has to reprise Everton performance

Looking back at the previous two fixtures, the trip to Arsenal was always going to be a tough ask. The 2-0 defeat was underpinned by dismal data: an xG of 0.49 compared to Arsenal’s 2.73, zero shots on target, and just four attempts overall. The Gunners, meanwhile, had 21 shots and five on target. West Ham managed only eight touches in the opposition box.

The away game at Everton was more encouraging: 14 shots, three on target, an xG of 1.17, and 29 touches in the Toffees’ box. Everton had 12 shots, six on target, an xG of 0.73, and 30 touches in West Ham’s box.

But the trend is clear—performance levels have declined over the last two games.

Possession stats aren’t the main concern, given Nuno’s preference for counter-attacking football. Figures of 43.7%, 32.1%, and 48.2% are within expectations. The real issue is the absence of any discernible counter-attacking threat. Where is it? Because it hasn’t shown up yet.

This isn’t a critique of the new head coach. He arrived without his trusted backroom staff and has had limited time to assess the squad due to the international break. No one expected instant transformation, especially after the decline under Lopetegui and Potter. But the numbers don’t lie—performances must improve. If this trajectory continues, relegation is a certainty for a club that boasts the second-highest attendance in the Premier League.

How it’s come to this is anyone’s guess. But unless things change fast, a fire sale and looming financial troubles in the Championship await. The clock is ticking.

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