West Ham United is in serious danger of relegation from the Premier League after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Brentford. The team’s lack of fight was evident, as they lost nearly 60 percent of duels and managed less than 20 percent of goal-scoring opportunities. This performance drew criticism from fans and analysts alike, further amplified by visible empty seats at the London Stadium due to a boycott against the club’s management.
The loss marked the first home game for West Ham’s new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. He expressed concern about the team’s performance, especially their inability to maintain competitiveness throughout the match. “It alarms everybody. It’s there to see,” he stated, highlighting that West Ham needs to sustain their performance over the full 90 minutes.
The statistics paint a bleak picture for West Ham. They currently rank second-bottom in the Premier League for distance covered during matches, with only Chelsea covering less ground. While Chelsea boasts a high possession percentage, West Ham struggles with both possession and off-the-ball movement. Their sprinting and intensity metrics are among the lowest in the league, and they excel only in distance walked.
In his assessment, Jamie Carragher remarked on Monday Night Football that West Ham is “one of the slowest teams” in recent memory, questioning their physical capabilities. He emphasized that the current squad, regardless of the manager, faces significant challenges in coping physically with the demands of Premier League football.
The situation worsens when examining West Ham’s defensive statistics. They have conceded the highest-quality chances in the league, allowing 22 shots against Brentford, with nearly all originating from inside the penalty area. This vulnerability has resulted in the team conceding the most corners in the league and struggling with set pieces, having allowed eight goals from dead-ball situations.
Nuno acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in defensive organization. He noted that the team’s slow recovery after losing the ball on throw-ins further exacerbated their struggles. “We still don’t have a clear idea… but we have to improve at not conceding them,” he stated, indicating that solving these issues is crucial for the team’s survival.
West Ham’s offensive statistics are equally concerning. They rank among the lowest in the league for total shots taken, with only Burnley attempting fewer. Furthermore, a mere 7 percent of their open-play chances are classified as ‘big chances,’ a figure that trails even the bottom-placed team, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
To address these issues, Nuno has called for a transformation in player mentality rather than a complete overhaul of playing style. He aims to connect with individual players to maximize their potential, stating, “The moment you realize you have a problem, the priority is now really trying to connect with the players.”
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. West Ham’s next match against Leeds United, scheduled for March 15, 2024, will be pivotal in their fight against relegation. As they prepare for this crucial encounter, the pressure mounts not only on the players but also on the club’s management to deliver results and restore faith among supporters.
Without significant improvements, West Ham risks not only relegation but also a crisis of confidence that could haunt the club for years to come. Their current trajectory suggests that if immediate action is not taken, the team may find itself facing a grim future.
