West Ham United have confirmed they will support manager Nuno Espírito Santo in the upcoming January transfer window, as the club battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Appointed on 25 September as Graham Potter’s successor, Nuno faces mounting pressure with the Hammers currently sitting third-bottom, five points behind Nottingham Forest and seven behind Leeds United.

Early Struggles Under Nuno

Nuno began his tenure with four consecutive winless matches but briefly steadied the ship, losing just one of the next six. However, a run of three successive defeats has reignited concerns over West Ham’s survival in England’s top flight. The prospect of relegation would be the first in 14 years and has placed additional scrutiny on Nuno’s managerial decisions and squad depth.

Club Support and Transfer Plans

Despite the team’s poor form, West Ham sources insist the board remains firmly behind Nuno and is committed to investing in the January transfer window to strengthen key areas. While the club has yet to decide whether this will involve selling Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who was blocked from leaving in the summer, financial backing is expected to be available to improve the squad.

West Ham’s move to the London Stadium in 2016 increased revenue streams, making relegation less likely from a financial standpoint. However, dropping into the Championship would still have a significant impact on the club’s overall finances, even with a halved stadium rent of £2 million.

Recent Matches Highlight Defensive Struggles

West Ham’s latest loss came in a close game against Fulham, where an 85th-minute goal by Raul Jimenez, set up by Harry Wilson, secured a dramatic victory. Nuno emphasized collective responsibility, saying:
“We all make mistakes. It’s not about individuals. It’s about how we react as a team when we have an important game in two days.”

Defensive errors have plagued West Ham all season. The club has kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League, leaving Nuno with a current average of 0.77 points per game, the lowest for any West Ham manager in the Premier League era.

Context and Mitigating Factors

Many of West Ham’s struggles stem from a lack of squad cohesion and confidence inherited by Nuno. The manager has yet to have a full transfer window to bring in players of his choosing, relying instead on signings made by previous managers Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter. Since taking charge, West Ham has secured only 10 points from 13 games, scoring 14 goals and conceding 23, placing them just above Burnley and Wolves in points collected.

Fan Perspective: Years of Poor Strategy Catching Up

Supporters have voiced frustration with the club’s transfer strategy, highlighting signings like striker Niklas Fullkrug and midfielder Luis Guilherme, whose contributions have been limited despite significant investment. Fan commentary suggests that while managerial change might be considered, deeper issues around squad planning and leadership on the pitch need addressing to avoid relegation.

Holly Turbutt of West Ham Network remarked:
“Now more than ever, we are relying on players to make something special happen against the odds and for the owners to invest in ways that will help us save our season.”

Upcoming Fixtures Crucial to Survival

West Ham face a crucial run of fixtures starting against Brighton on 30 December, followed by matches against Wolves, Forest, Sunderland, local rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, before a trip to Burnley on 7 February. These games are likely to determine Nuno’s short-term future and the club’s Premier League survival prospects.