‘Shocking and Embarrassing’ – Can Nuno Save West Ham?

West Ham United’s Premier League survival hopes are hanging by a thread after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to bottom club Wolves, raising serious questions over manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s future and the team’s overall direction.

Relegation Alarm Bells Ring Louder

Saturday’s performance at Molineux was widely condemned by pundits and fans alike. Alan Shearer branded the display as “pathetic” and Jermain Defoe questioned the team’s lack of fight:

“You can talk about working hard, but everyone works hard. West Ham just aren’t competing,” Defoe said.

Even Nuno admitted:

“It was the worst performance we’ve had. It was embarrassing.”

The Hammers are now winless in nine Premier League games (D4, L5), slipping to 19th with 14 points from 20 matches, and have conceded 41 goals—their worst defensive tally at this stage since 1965-66.

Record-Breaking Collapse

Wolves overpower West Ham in commanding home display

Nuno’s tenure is making unwanted history:

• No clean sheet in 26 Premier League matches (across West Ham and Forest)

• 0.25 expected goals (xG) against Wolves – a damning lack of attacking threat

• 4 goals conceded in the first 5 minutes of games – worst in the league

• Defensive stats worsened since Graham Potter’s sacking in September

Under Nuno, West Ham average fewer goals, fewer points per game, and show less cohesion compared to Potter’s brief stint.

Forest Clash: A Must-Win or Sack Incoming?

With Nottingham Forest up next at the London Stadium—a team sitting just four points ahead—the stakes couldn’t be higher.

A loss would not only widen the relegation gap but also bring Nuno’s position under even greater scrutiny, especially given it’s against the club that sacked him just months ago.

“Forest will be a tough game,” Nuno said. “But now is about reacting, improving and realising the situation we’re in.”

Transfers: Hope or Illusion?

West Ham have made a start in the January window, signing Pablo Felipe for £21.8m from Gil Vicente. But the club lacks the war chest that helped Newcastle escape relegation in 2022 after spending £85m.

German forward Niclas Füllkrug has already left on loan to AC Milan, and no defensive reinforcements have yet arrived—despite the clean sheet crisis.

“The club is working on that situation,” Nuno said. “But it’s not justification for our first-half performance—it was very bad.”

Fan Reactions: Boiling Point

West Ham fans were furious after the Wolves defeat:

• “Clueless, disorganised, weak,” said Paul from Norfolk.

• “We deserve to be relegated,” added Mark from London.

• “It’s not just losing – it’s how we lose,” echoed many supporters.

Many believe the club has lost its identity, leadership, and fear factor—particularly at the London Stadium, which lacks the intimidating aura of traditional grounds like Elland Road or City Ground.

Is Relegation Inevitable?

Only six teams with 14 points or fewer after 20 games have survived the drop in Premier League history. The last was Newcastle (12 points) in 2021-22—but they had major investment and momentum.

Unless West Ham urgently improve, their current trajectory could mirror their 2010-11 relegation, a season in which they ended with nine winless games—exactly what they’ve done now.

What’s Next?

Upcoming Fixtures:

• 🆚 Nottingham Forest – Tuesday, Relegation Six-Pointer

• 🆚 Spurs (FA Cup) – Saturday