Nuno must drop ‘worst’ 3/10 West Ham flop

Now we face a disaster. It is not doom and gloom for West Ham United, however simply over two months into the season, there’s an actual ominous feeling because the relegation-threatened Hammers battle to climb out of the relegation zone.

Leeds United deserved to win towards Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect at Elland Highway on Friday night time, however a shaky West Ham aspect lacked the principled, well-rehearsed defensive solidity that characterised Nuno’s groups.

It is nonetheless early days, however there are issues that the Portuguese tactician was unable to construct his workforce successfully within the opening recreation of the Premier League on the London Stadium, drawing with Everton on his debut however then dropping three on the bounce.

Journalist Jacob Steinberg commented on the problem, criticizing the supervisor for utilizing an “inexplicable line-up” and even saying that they’d “failed each video games this week” following Monday’s heavy defeat at residence to Brentford.

However equally, the gamers wanted to step up towards the newly promoted Whites and have been unable to take action.

West Ham’s largest villain at Leeds

West Ham didn’t play. Matheus Fernandes scored his first objective for the membership within the closing levels when he headed residence Jarrod Bowen’s cross, however it wasn’t sufficient and the Londoners retreated with none spoils, discovering themselves with simply 4 factors from their earlier 9 video games.

Bowen was as full of life as ever and his bicycle kick was saved within the first half because the Hammers misplaced 1-0, virtually denying him a high-profile second.

However this was a constructive diploma. Thomas Soucek was notably poor. The energetic limitations of the 30-year-old, a hard-working participant and the most effective gamers of the wonderful David Moyes period, have been uncovered and, aside from the possibilities he relied on, he acquired too excessive too typically and uncovered Andy Irving.

Crisencio Somerville additionally confirmed deception towards his former workforce, however in equity he was the sufferer of tactical confusion, beginning on the fitting and shifting to the left after Ollie Scarless was injured within the first half. There was a whole lot of huffing and puffing as we could not discover the ultimate product.

The 23-year-old has seemed vivid this time period after an injury-hit season in 2024/25, however he stays inconsistent and must be extra sociable in entrance of objective.

Energetic and unique, he provides one thing totally different, and whereas the Dutch-born expertise shouldn’t be written off, there’s little query that he wants to supply extra.

Nonetheless, there’s one other member of the beginning XI who has confirmed he isn’t as much as the duty at hand and Nuno will little question contemplate dropping him quickly.

West Ham star gamers who must be sacked

After the ultimate whistle sounded at Leeds, it was revealed that West Ham had made their worst begin to the highest flight in 52 years. Nuno is but to win a match since being changed by Graham Potter.

So what must be carried out? Nicely, firstly, United’s disorganized protection must be sorted out ASAP. And to attain this, it could be value eradicating Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo from the beginning lineup after one other poor efficiency on Friday.

Todibo, 25, spent final season on mortgage in East London earlier than finishing a everlasting £35m transfer in early 2025. He was coveted by Juventus and was regarded in France as one of the athletic and thrilling ball-playing defenders within the enterprise.

However the Premier League is a unique beast and Todibo, missing readability and conviction in his performances final yr, has now fallen by the wayside, with West Ham FabTV contributor Nick Marsh saying after the match that he and Max Kilman are “arguably the 2 worst centre-backs on this league”.

One web site even thought-about it worthy of Todibo’s model with a low match ranking of three/10, which sparked a response throughout social media, with supporters fed up with the limp and unconvincing defensive show.

Todibo’s high quality within the air must be questioned and he leaves so much to be desired when coping with whiplash deliveries. That is the crux of West Ham’s downside, and Todibo is a part of the issue.

Over the course of the season, he has didn’t summon the creativity and initiative on the ball that drew him a lot reward throughout his time at OGC Good in France, and though he has proven power within the few floor battles he has received, he has not received sufficient duels.

At 6-foot-3, it is inexcusable that he averages simply 38% from the air. Todibo should be dropped. However who will are available in?

Former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Igor Julio stays languishing on the sidelines, however there are ideas the 27-year-old could possibly be match to make his debut quickly after making only one substitute look this season after performing nicely in coaching.

In the meantime, Sungoutu Magassa has beforehand performed in central protection and has already proven a sure degree of belief from coach Nuno, having began twice on this yr’s Premier League.

Both approach, change is required in east London. West Ham boasts a top quality workforce and can’t afford to fall out of the First Division. If dropping Todibo is a method in the direction of this objective, so be it.