Nuno Espírito Santo has urged West Ham United to keep believing in his players after another frustrating Championship result increased the pressure surrounding the Hammers head coach.
West Ham remain without a league victory after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford left them with only two points from their opening nine available.
Nuno nevertheless remains adamant that trust in his squad cannot disappear, telling the official West Ham website after the game that “we need to keep believing and trusting our boys.”
Nuno calls for West Ham belief after Watford draw
The message comes at a difficult moment for the Portuguese coach.
West Ham went behind at Vicarage Road through Amin Nabizada before a Matthew Pollock own goal brought the visitors level.
Nuno’s side subsequently controlled plenty of possession but struggled to create enough clear opportunities to win the game.
The official West Ham reaction says Nuno believed his side deserved more from the contest, while also recognising there are areas that must improve.
That assessment will not necessarily satisfy supporters.
The Guardian reported that West Ham produced only one shot on target, despite having Premier League-quality attackers including Jarrod Bowen available to Nuno.
The Hammers have now drawn against Burnley and Watford either side of a home defeat to Charlton Athletic.
Two draws and one defeat represent a difficult opening for a club expected to challenge for an immediate Premier League return.
Pressure grows on Nuno after fans voice anger
Nuno’s comments also arrived after the travelling West Ham support made its frustration clear at full-time.
That represents an escalation from the anger which followed last weekend’s Charlton defeat.
Nuno therefore faces the difficult task of asking supporters for patience while also recognising that results must begin changing quickly.
The Championship season is long, and West Ham’s squad remains under construction, but expectations are understandably high after relegation from the Premier League.
West Ham squad still changing around Nuno
There is at least further help arriving.
West Ham have agreed a deal with Viking for Edvin Austbø, with the winger cleared to travel to London for a medical.
The Norwegian should provide another attacking option following weeks of debate over how West Ham should strengthen out wide.
Earlier on Saturday, we examined how the West Ham winger search had developed into a deadline gamble, with Nuno reportedly particularly keen on Reiss Nelson while the club considered alternatives.
Nuno also stressed before the Watford game that West Ham were continuing to work on further additions.
A squad undergoing substantial change gives the manager some mitigation.
It cannot provide indefinite protection from results.
Nuno now needs belief to become results
There is nothing unusual about a manager publicly backing his players during a difficult spell.
The important question is what follows.
West Ham’s performance at Watford contained periods of control, but possession without sufficient attacking threat will do little to quieten the frustration surrounding the club.
Nuno needs his new signings to settle, his attacking players to become more decisive and his team to begin turning competitive performances into victories.
His message is clear: West Ham must continue believing in the process and trusting the players.
After two points from nine and audible frustration from the travelling support, Nuno now needs that belief to produce results.
