Nuno Espirito Santo’s early days as West Ham United manager have not gone to plan, with results and decisions alike raising eyebrows among supporters.

The Portuguese coach’s tenure began with a respectable 1-1 draw against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, suggesting a solid foundation to build upon. But that optimism quickly faded. Consecutive 2-0 defeats to Arsenal and Brentford have left the Hammers languishing in the Premier League relegation zone after eight games, with just a single point earned from a possible nine under Nuno’s watch.

Ward-Prowse frozen out again

Nuno’s team selection against Brentford caused particular confusion. The manager made five changes to his starting XI, but the reshuffle failed to spark improvement. West Ham looked shaky at the back and blunt in attack, especially during a poor first-half display against a Brentford side wearing an unusual alternate kit.

What baffled many, though, was the continued omission of James Ward-Prowse. Speaking on talkSPORT, commentator Sam Matterface noted that the midfielder — statistically West Ham’s most creative player this season — had once again been left out of the squad entirely.

Co-commentator Danny Murphy added, “It sounds a bit more than football, doesn’t it?” — hinting at possible tension behind the scenes.

A lingering rift from Forest?

The exclusion has led to speculation that Nuno’s past relationship with Ward-Prowse may be influencing his decisions. The pair briefly worked together at Nottingham Forest last season, when Ward-Prowse’s loan spell at the City Ground was abruptly cut short after limited appearances under Nuno.

Now, history seems to be repeating itself. While leaving Ward-Prowse out of the starting lineup might be justifiable on tactical grounds, not naming him among the substitutes has raised serious questions.

A dramatic decline

For a player once hailed as one of the Premier League’s most reliable midfielders — and signed from Southampton amid high expectations two years ago — Ward-Prowse’s current situation represents a steep and unexpected fall from grace.

Unless Nuno clarifies his reasoning soon, pressure may build for answers. As West Ham continue to struggle for form and creativity, many fans are left wondering how long the club can afford to leave one of their most technically gifted players watching from the stands.