Abdulhafiz TeslimWest Ham United were expected to make a strong statement on their return to the Championship, but their opening two matches have instead raised serious questions about Nuno Espírito Santo’s approach.
After throwing away a two-goal lead against Burnley on the opening weekend, West Ham needed a response against Charlton Athletic. Instead, the defeat at the London Stadium has increased the pressure on the manager.
The result is concerning enough, but supporters are also questioning some of Nuno’s selection decisions and whether he is making the changes necessary to prevent the problems of last season from returning.
Nuno Already Faced Questions
The warning signs appeared during the opening-day draw with Burnley.
West Ham established a 2–0 advantage but failed to protect it as Burnley fought back. Zian Flemming scored twice, including a stoppage-time equaliser, leaving Nuno to deal with criticism over his team’s inability to manage the game.
The result was particularly frustrating given West Ham’s struggles last season. The Hammers dropped 20 points from winning positions, according to Guardian match coverage of the Burnley game.
That statistic has made supporters even more concerned about whether the same weaknesses could follow the club into the Championship.
Then Came Charlton
The pressure was already building before the Charlton match.
Nuno made changes to his starting XI, bringing Joël Piroe and Arne Engels into the team. However, the changes did not produce the reaction West Ham desperately needed.
For supporters, the issue is not simply about individual players.
It is about whether Nuno is willing to adapt when his tactical approach is not producing the desired results.
Managers have access to information supporters do not. Nuno sees the players in training and understands the tactical instructions he wants them to follow.
However, supporters judge what happens on the pitch.
When the same problems continue to appear, patience can quickly disappear.
The Pressure Is Growing
West Ham’s situation is different from that of an ordinary Championship side.
The club was relegated from the Premier League after 14 consecutive seasons in the top flight, and the expectation is clear: immediate promotion.
That makes every dropped point more significant.
After taking only one point from the opening fixture and then suffering defeat against Charlton, West Ham now face questions about their ability to compete for promotion under Nuno.
The concern is not simply the results. It is the manner in which those results have been produced.
First came the collapse against Burnley.
Then came the home defeat to Charlton.
That has placed Nuno’s tactical decisions under increasing scrutiny.
West Ham Fans Want Answers
Supporters have already shown that they will not remain quiet if performances continue to disappoint.
Nuno previously acknowledged that West Ham supporters had every right to criticise the players following a defeat at Newcastle last season.
That relationship between the manager, players and supporters could become crucial during the promotion campaign.
Winning matches would quickly calm the situation.
However, if West Ham continue to produce frustrating performances and repeat the same mistakes, the pressure on Nuno will inevitably increase.
Nuno Must Find a Response
Nuno does not need to abandon his entire philosophy after one defeat.
However, he must demonstrate that he is capable of recognising when something is not working and making the necessary changes.
That could mean altering his system, changing personnel or finding a different way to manage matches when West Ham are ahead.
Supporters can accept losing games, particularly in a competitive Championship campaign.
What will be much harder to accept is watching the same problems appear repeatedly without a clear response from the manager.
Nuno has been given the responsibility of rebuilding West Ham and leading them back to the Premier League.
After two matches without a win, the pressure is already beginning to build.
The manager now needs to provide an answer on the pitch.
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Abdulhafiz Teslim
