West Ham United find themselves in deep trouble after suffering a damaging 2-1 defeat to Leeds United on Friday night — a result that has sent alarm bells ringing around the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side endured a nightmare opening at Elland Road, conceding twice within the first 15 minutes. Despite a late consolation from Mateus Fernandes in stoppage time, the Hammers’ sluggish start once again proved costly.
One of Nuno’s more questionable tactical calls — deploying youngster Ollie Scarles as part of a back three — summed up a night of poor decisions and mounting frustration for the visitors.
West Ham’s alarming statistics paint a bleak picture
According to Sky Sports reporter David Croft, the numbers behind West Ham’s form are nothing short of disastrous. Before the trip to Leeds, the Hammers had been in the lead for just 3.1% of their total Premier League minutes this season — equating to a mere 25 minutes and six seconds.
Croft didn’t hold back in his assessment of the club’s leadership, calling for sweeping changes at board level. Speaking live on air before kickoff, he launched a scathing attack on co-owners David Sullivan and Karren Brady, insisting their time at the helm must end if the club is to avoid relegation.
“We’re not sleepwalking to relegation; we’re sprinting towards it at 225 miles per hour,” Croft fumed. “Sullivan and Brady — your time is up. You’ve turned this into a vanity project. If this were The Apprentice, Brady would’ve been fired after episode one. West Ham need an overhaul from top to bottom, starting with the boardroom.”
Nuno must find answers quickly
The Portuguese coach is now under huge pressure to steady the ship. Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s only consistent top-level performer, but he can’t carry the burden alone.
Supporters are growing restless and increasingly vocal in their desire for Sullivan to sell the club, yet for Nuno, the immediate focus must be on survival. His team selection against Leeds — pairing Andy Irving and Tomas Soucek in midfield — left the Hammers exposed and short of energy.
Looking ahead, Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa offer the dynamism and drive that West Ham desperately need in the centre of the park. Nuno must also make better use of his attacking options, with Callum Wilson a more natural fit up front than Lucas Paquetá, who continues to look uncomfortable as a makeshift striker.
With fans furious, confidence low, and results worsening, Nuno faces a daunting task: block out the noise, find balance in his lineup, and somehow pull West Ham back from the brink of another relegation nightmare.