Nuno retains board backing for nowpublished at 07:42 GMT 7 January
07:42 GMT 7 January
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo's position as West Ham head coach is heavily under the microscope.
Supporters and pundits have already written off the Portuguese's chances of keeping the club in the Premier League. But the real question to ask is: what do the owners think of the job Nuno is doing?
Well, there is certainly disappointment at the results that have left them rooted in the bottom three.
There is similar sentiment towards the performance of the team and thus the manager.
But the club's hierarchy are desperate to make Nuno's appointment a success.
They are actively backing him in the transfer market. The signings of Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos were both players selected by Nuno.
So to pull the rug from under him, having made signings on the manager's recommendation, would seem nonsensical. But the threat of relegation can radically change the direction of travel.
West Ham are seven points adrift from safety. That scenario will really test the board's backing of their under-pressure boss.
Gossip: Antonio's deal with Leicester City falls throughpublished at 07:41 GMT 7 January
07:41 GMT 7 January
Striker Michail Antonio, formerly of West Ham, has seen a proposed deal with Leicester City fall through after picking up a muscle injury. (Talksport), external
Analysis: Hammers in huge trouble after another losspublished at 00:10 GMT 7 January
00:10 GMT 7 January
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Reuters
It proved to be another frustrating evening for boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who has now collected only 11 points from his 16 games in charge of the Hammers since replacing the sacked Graham Potter in September.
That is the lowest total from any West Ham boss in the Premier League era - and the side now face an almighty battle if they are to stay in the top flight, which they have been in since 2012-13.
They were booed off at the end of the match by some of the remaining fans, though a large number had left before the final whistle.
Nuno, booked in the second half for complaining after a decision had gone against his side, had apologised to fans for what he called an "embarrassing" performance during their 3-0 loss to bottom club Wolves on Saturday.
He would have been pleased with his side's effort against Forest, though a lack of clinical finishing again proved decisive.
After they led through Murillo's 13th-minute own goal, the hosts had chances to double their lead, but could not do so and then Nicolas Dominguez equalised.
But Morgan Gibbs-White's 89th-minute penalty was a real sickener and the Hammers are seven points from safety - and in huge trouble.
West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest: What Nuno saidpublished at 22:41 GMT 6 January
22:41 GMT 6 January
Media caption,
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Nottingham Forest: "Very tight margins and a goal ruled out that we had that would put us in front. Then a lot of incidents with the penalty - a tough match.
"I think we did enough things to win the match. The boys worked very hard. I think we did enough to win it."
On debutants Pablo and Taty Castellanos: "Good, they have settled in with the team. They have qualities and they have come to help.
"We have to keep going, keep believing, and keep working. It is not over."
More from Nuno on Sky Sports: "I think we did enough good things to win the match today. The boys really worked hard. We got the advantage, we scored a goal ruled out by fine margins of offside, that was the moment of the game, and a lot of incidents happened, but I've got nothing to say about the hard work.
"That was the idea [to score early] and the boys did it. We had good combinations and control, we had good threat in attack. It was a good first half.
We started the second half well. There was a foul on the edge of the box on Summerville and then that leads to Forest breaking out, this takes the mind out of the players and makes it hard to explain how things happen."
On the penalty: "It happens so many times during the matches that you get confused about the rules honestly. How many times has this happened and penalties have not been given? So I don't quite understand.
"Areola goes for the ball, Soucek takes the ball out and then he cannot stop his movement, so hard to explain."
On the fans: "It's hard to ask them anything. It's hard to explain. We understand their frustration and the sadness and we are all the same. What to say? Keep helping us. Again they showed today when the team gives, they give back the support that we need. Today the boys showed that we are here to keep the fight."
On his belief: "You know me. I'll keep on going, believing and working with the boys. Sometimes you have good moments and bad moments but you need to be resilient enough to understand that this is the game."
Did you know?
West Ham have gone 10 consecutive Premier League games without a victory for the first time since a run of 11 between December 2006 and March 2007.
West Ham (12) and Forest (eight) have conceded more goals from corners than any other side in the league this season, with both team's opening goals coming in this manner.
West Ham v Nottingham Forest: Team newspublished at 19:13 GMT 6 January
19:13 GMT 6 January
West Ham give a debut to Argentina international striker Valentin Castellanos, who joined the Hammers earlier this week for an undisclosed fee from Italian side Lazio.
He is one of four changes from the team that lost 3-0 at bottom side Wolves, with starts also for Jean-Clair Todibo, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta.
Sean Dyche makes two changes for Nottingham Forest as Callum Hudson-Odoi is in for Dilane Bakwa, while Matz Sels is in goal after John Victor sustained an injury in the 3-1 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend.
'Things feel very up in the air at the moment'published at 12:31 GMT 6 January
12:31 GMT 6 January
Holly Turbutt Fan contributor
Our West Ham fan contributor Holly Turbutt reflects on the mounting pressure on boss Nuno Espirito Santo, following the weekend loss at Wolves.
She says scrutiny about his job is understandable, but feels that given the Hammers' early moves in the January transfer window, it would make little sense to remove him from his role at this stage.
West Ham v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:33 GMT 6 January
09:33 GMT 6 January
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
West Ham will slip seven points adrift of safety if they lose to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) in a game which sees Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo face the club that sacked him in September. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before the match.
Pressure growing on Espirito Santo
Saturday's 3-0 defeat by bottom club Wolves - previously winless - marked a new low for West Ham under Nuno. The head coach had to apologise to Hammers fans who had travelled to Molineux, admitting the first-half display was "embarrassing".
The 51-year-old also highlighted "a lack of effort that is really concerning", questioning whether some of his squad "realise the situation we are in". The Hammers hierarchy certainly do and, even if doubts are creeping in over the wisdom of appointing Nuno, they have sanctioned urgent spending in the January transfer window to give the club a fighting chance of survival.
Brazilian striker Pablo Felipe was an unused substitute against Wolves after joining from Portuguese side Gil Vicente for a reported £21.8m fee, while Argentine forward Taty Castellanos arrived from Lazio on Monday for approximately £26m.
New signings are clearly needed as the managerial change has not sparked an improvement. In fact, since Nuno took charge on 27 September they have averaged fewer points per game than under his processor Graham Potter, also conceding more goals and scoring fewer.
And yet, West Ham are chasing a first top-flight double over Forest since 1968-69, having won 3-0 at the City Ground in August — a result that proved to be Nuno's final match in charge of the two-time European Cup winners.
Should his current side lose on Tuesday, his future as Hammers boss will come under increased scrutiny.
Error-prone Forest must get back to basics
Unlike the Hammers, Nottingham Forest initially enjoyed an upturn in form when Sean Dyche took charge in October, with the Englishman winning four of his first eight league fixtures.
However, he has since lost four in a row and now faces the prospect of five consecutive Premier League defeats in a single season for the first time in his managerial career.
Dyche said after Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa that there have been "good signs" during his overall tenure but admitted "what changes the story is when you put a run together like we have".
Forest's hopes of a result at the weekend vanished when goalkeeper John Victor rashly raced off his line, allowing John McGinn to score Villa's third. Dyche insists his side must cut out those "basic errors", adding "the mentality is there but you can't keep giving yourself a mountain to climb".
The stats support Dyche's view. Forest have committed 22 errors leading to an opposition shot this season – the joint-second highest figure in the Premier League.
And while Dyche's belt-and-braces approach was expected to tighten up the Forest rearguard, it is notable that four of the six goals they have conceded due to errors have come under his watch.
The manner of their defeat at Wolves on Saturday has cranked up the pressure on Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham beat Forest 3-0 earlier this season but, unfortunately for Nuno, that was when he was still Forest boss - it was his final game in charge.
How he could do with another 3-0 West Ham win this time, but I do not see it happening.
It is a nightmare for them to be at home, really, because you can imagine what the mood will be like inside the stadium before kick-off.
I don't think it will have improved by full-time, either. I just have a feeling Sean Dyche's Forest will have a bit more nous, and will sneak a narrow win.
'In for a treat' or 'hard to be enthusiastic' - fans on Taty signingpublished at 17:44 GMT 5 January
17:44 GMT 5 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on West Ham's latest signing Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos from Lazio.
Here are some of your comments:
Felix: He looks like a technically gifted forward. I don't expect lots of goals, but I hope he can bring energy and link-up play. Nuno has been choosing Lucas Paqueta as a false nine. I think that's the plan for Taty.
Tristan: If he is anything like the last Argentinian forward we signed under similar circumstances, then we should be in for a treat. Hopeful for some more additions as we are in great need of a centre-half or two - especially after Saturday's embarrassing performance. May all be too little too late if we lose to Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.
Shane: Seeing is believing. We have had so many players who are going to do this and that in the last few years, it's hard to be enthusiastic.
Tim: I think it's a bit late for this season. Championship beckons for the 2026-27 season. To be honest, it would be better to win a few matches in the EFL than put up with miserable seasons like this!
James: Always welcome any new signing that could potentially help the club pull away from danger; however, I can't help but feel Premier League-ready players need to be added who know what it takes to get out of this mess!
Chris: We could sign Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr, but as long as we have a defence as bad as ours, it would not matter!
Nuno on Paqueta fitness, January transfers and formpublished at 15:56 GMT 5 January
15:56 GMT 5 January
Melissa Edwards BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jean-Clair Todibo and Lucas Paqueta are "trying hard" to be fit for selection after missing the defeat by Wolves on Saturday, but Nuno said the club will decide on Tuesday.
Forwards Taty Castellano and Pablo Felipe have joined the Hammers during this January transfer window and Nuno believes the duo's "help" will be crucial: "Now we are in the moment of re-balance. Two players have come in who I can see are good options. Two players who can help - and that's the word - we need help. We need help from those coming but also we are ones who have to improve and make the situation better."
He added: "Two players that I really believe can bring new things to the team. We had many names but they were the ones who I can see can make an impact. As coaches and clubs these days, these are good chances to try and re-balance. We have to try to make it right with players who can come with purpose and intention to help. Be brave to join us."
On any further reinforcements: "The club is working. We're working really hard to operate in this transfer window. Two bodies in but we still need more."
Nuno blamed a "lack of effort" from his squad after the 3-0 loss at Molineux but has explained that was the wrong choice of words: "No, not lack of effort, maybe I choose bad words. It was more that we were not playing like we should have done, the way we planned to do. The decisions we had to take in particular moments and the way we wanted to compete. The team has rules and we broke the rules. It is very bad for me to be there and see we are trying put crosses in to come to nothing. It was tough to take."
On dropping points at a vital part of the season: "Really worried - I am saying to you we are worried. We're concerned but we have a game tomorrow to make things better. Everything has to be at our maximum. That's the good part of football - it always gives you a chance."
On what he would tell West Ham supporters, Nuno said: "Our fans are very knowledgeable. They know exactly what is going on. They know the squad, the players, the team - they know the problems. We need them and they know that we need them, but the team has to give. Tomorrow at 8pm the team has to show [up] and the fans have to see that the team is ready to fight and compete."
Nuno "trusts" his players to be better and he said he gains confidence from the way he and the players "speak to each other".
On facing Nottingham Forest after getting sacked by them three games into the 2025-26 season, he said: "[They're] different. We know how much love and respect I have for Forest. They're a good team with talented players that we have to play against. They have an experienced manager in Sean Dyche. It's going to be tough."
'I hope to give my all for the fans' - Castellanos joins West Hampublished at 13:10 GMT 5 January
13:10 GMT 5 January
Image source, Getty Images
New West Ham forward Taty Castellanos says he has "come to contribute" after completing a move from Lazio.
The 27-year-old has joined for a figure in the region of £26m on a four-and-a-half year deal, with the option for a further year.
Castellanos, who has played in the MLS, La Liga and Serie A, made 98 appearances in total for Lazio, scoring 22 goals and providing 16 assists.
In a statement, the club said he was "a key target" for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and has signed in time to be available for Tuesday evening's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at London Stadium.
"I'm really happy because it's a very important challenge for me personally and I've come to contribute, to try to help the team as much as I can," said the Argentina international.
"Every match is a battle, and I'm here to contribute that, to try to bring that energy, that fighting spirit I have inside, so that every match is as important and as tough as possible.
"I hope to give my all to the fans. I've always defended the jersey of every team with the utmost responsibility, and I want to tell them that I'm going to give everything. That's the most important thing."
What do you make of the new signing? Is Castellanos what the Hammers need?
West Ham in 'big, big trouble' - Warnockpublished at 12:08 GMT 5 January
12:08 GMT 5 January
Image source, Getty Images
After a heavy loss to relegation favourites Wolves at the weekend, former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock has questioned whether West Ham players have "lost a bit of faith in the manager".
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo labelled their first-half performance at Molineux "embarrassing" with the 3-0 defeat leaving them four points from safety.
"They are in big, big trouble," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Breakfast Club.
"They have made a couple of signings during the week but you always wonder what kind of influence they can have. Also, where they are at as a dressing room – have they lost a bit of faith in the manager and what he is doing?
"They are in a position now where if Nottingham Forest were to beat them, you just start to worry.
"The problem you get with the new signings coming in too is they have not played in the Premier League, so it is how quickly they can adapt and play under pressure.
"There is huge pressure at that football club at the moment."
Ex-Aston Villa and Brentford head coach Dean Smith agreed and added: "They've got new signings but I never think January is a great month for signings. There becomes a slight desperation when you're looking to bring players in.
"But they definitely need some players just to have fresh faces in the dressing room because they need a bit of change at the moment.
"I do [think Nuno is the one to get them out of trouble]. He knows the league, he's been in the league a long time, getting Wolves promoted a long time ago and he did so well at Nottingham Forest last year too.
"[But] nine games without a win and they need to turn that around quickly. The game against Forest on Wednesday is massive, they can't lose that."
Wolves 3-0 West Ham - the fans' verdictpublished at 07:08 GMT 5 January
07:08 GMT 5 January
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Wolves and West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Wolves fans
Mike: The great escape is on! A good performance all round, albeit against a poor West Ham team. They dominated possession but did nothing with it - we scored three goals and their keeper made three great saves. Sa had nothing to do but deal with crosses. Excellent three points now back it up with a win at Everton in midweek.
Rhys: A shocking performance by West Ham but, saying that, our first half was simply stunning. I think just about every Wolves fan now loves Mane after his ridiculous performance, ripping away the West Ham defence. The Hammers got hammered!
Robert: Performances have been improved in recent games. This is well overdue, and while we won't avoid relegation, maybe we have found some pride.
West Ham fans
Phillip: I can forgive anything except not trying hard enough. There are a lot of players in the group who clearly have no self-respect. At least look as though you care! I have followed West Ham since 1967 and have never seen such low commitment to the cause. They deserve to be relegated and I think it is almost a certainty now. Sullivan deserves no better.
Bullet: The two worst centre-backs in the history of the club, a midfield that prefers to pass the ball backwards and a non-existent forward line. That is West Ham. It is painful to watch.
Barry: Gutless display. This should have been a cup final and Wolves clearly treated it like that. We came out as if we were in a training game. No leaders on the pitch and no leadership from the sidelines. We are completely rudderless. Sullivan and Brady have ruined our club. We will be in the Championship for some years.
Is time running out for Nuno at West Ham? published at 18:13 GMT 3 January
18:13 GMT 3 January
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Is time running out for Nuno Espirito Santo at relegation-threatened West Ham?
The Portuguese tactician replaced the sacked Graham Potter back in September, but the Hammers have only won twice under his reign and are currently on a nine-game winless run in the Premier League.
The visitors failed to register a single shot on target at Molineux on Saturday, generating an xG of just 0.25 compared to Wolves' xG of 1.52.
Moreover, they now have the worst defence in the Premier League, having conceded 41 goals in 20 matches - taking over that unwanted tag from Rob Edwards' men.
Nuno took over after Potter was dismissed following only eight months in charge with the club 19th in the table.
But three months under Nuno and they are still stuck in 18th place and four points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with a relegation six-pointer against Sean Dyche's side coming up next.
A win at home against the fellow relegation strugglers on Tuesday might just buy Nuno some breathing space but lose it and the questions over his future will only grow.
With confidence shattered and the threat of relegation growing week by week, the next 90 minutes could define West Ham's season and Nuno's time in charge.
Wolves 3-0 West Ham: What Nuno and Mavropanos saidpublished at 17:48 GMT 3 January
17:48 GMT 3 January
Media caption,
Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's defeat against Wolves: "Nobody expected us to play so bad. A real poor performance today."
On what went wrong: "I wish I could answer properly. Now is the moment for us to reflect and think are we doing everything we can? Do we realise the situation we are in? And how to get out of this situation and improve. There are things that need to be addressed.
"The first half was embarrassing. I apologise to our fans who travelled. This is not what we want to show them.
"It is a complex situation. The club is working on that situation [transfers]. We have problems in terms of squad and options but that is not a justification for what we did in the first half - the mistakes we made, the lack of effort... it was very bad. It was about mistakes we made over and over again that was really poor.
"Nottingham Forest will be a tough game but now is about reacting and transforming and improving."
West Ham's Konstantinos Mavropanos speaking to Sky Sports: "We understand the fans frustrations as well, when we concede two goals like this, it's normal they react like this.
"The first half was not on the level we want. In the second half we tried to show some character but we didn't really create anything. it is what it is now."
On the manager: "For him so far it's difficult for the fans especially. I don't think this team deserve to be in this situation really, I'll say it again the only people who can change the situation is us. We have to bounce back as quick as possible, the next game is in three days, we're disappointed to come out and lose."
Did you know?
West Ham are now winless in their last nine Premier League matches (D4 L5), their longest run since their final nine games of the 2010-11 campaign when they were relegated.
The Hammers have conceded 41 goals in the Premier League this season, their most after 20 games in a top-flight campaign since 1965-66 (44).
Image source, Getty Images
