West Ham United’s Premier League nightmare continued with a defeat at Leeds United, marking the club’s worst start to a top-flight season in 52 years. The London side, now 19th in the table, have collected just four points from nine games, replicating poor starts from the 1932-33 and 1973-74 seasons.

Nuno Espirito Santo Still Searching for First Win

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo remains without a win since replacing Graham Potter in September. Following a point against Everton and a lone victory over Nottingham Forest, the Portuguese coach has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Premier League.

Speaking after the Leeds loss, Nuno admitted the team faces multiple challenges:

“There are many problems in our club unfortunately… everyone has to be alive, do much more, and be in the right position. We must change our attitude, the way we approach things, prepare better, and work harder. Nothing will happen if we don’t change.”

Nuno becomes the first West Ham boss since Manuel Pellegrini in 2018 to fail to record a win in his first four Premier League games, highlighting the precarious situation at the club.

Defensive and Tactical Woes

West Ham’s problems are most acute at the back. With 20 goals conceded, the Hammers have let in nine from corners, triple the number of any other team at this stage, placing them in severe relegation danger.

Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Rob Green criticised the tactical setup, particularly the decision to play Ollie Scarles and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on opposite sides to their natural positions:

“It was a repeat from Monday night… inverted full-backs, full-backs on the wrong side – it didn’t work. They’re in trouble; this is perilous. Teams have gone on losing runs like this and disappeared from the Premier League.”

Players Speak Out

Captain Jarrod Bowen stressed the importance of mentality and resilience, warning of the harsh realities of the league:

“We’re in a real situation and we have to face the reality of that. The Premier League is the hardest league. We’re not playing well and not getting results. We need to change it. We’re the only ones that can change it.”

West Ham also covered less ground than Leeds, finishing the match over 6km short of their opponents, and struggled to respond after conceding two early goals. The lack of intensity and tactical cohesion has left the Hammers struggling for points in the relegation battle.

Next Steps for West Ham

With the Premier League season in full swing, West Ham face a critical period. Nuno Espirito Santo and his squad must address both defensive vulnerabilities and attacking inefficiencies to avoid a repeat of past failures. Upcoming fixtures will be vital if the Hammers are to steer clear of the relegation zone and salvage the season.