How Nuno Espirito Santo got West Ham back on track after horror start | OneFootball

Hammers starting to build some momentum in fight to pull clear of relegation trouble

West Ham look united, at long last, after back-to-back wins against Burnley and Newcastle.

The Hammers are still in the relegation zone but they are moving in the right direction under Nuno Espirito Santo.

After failing to win any of his first four games in charge, Nuno finally has some momentum, which he will hope to build on further over the international break.

His squad will reap the benefits of time spent on the training ground, and while their performances against Burnley and Newcastle were imperfect, there was a fluidity and purposefulness that has been sorely lacking this season.

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With six goals in their last two games - they had scored seven in their previous nine - West Ham’s attack is clicking into gear, with Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta starting to find some form.

Jarrod Bowen has been the one figure of consistency through good times and bad, and with an out-and-out striker in Callum Wilson to play off there is now balance and precision when West Ham go forward.

No longer does it feel like Bowen is on a one-man mission to drive the team up the pitch.

Nuno also looks to have settled on a midfield he can trust, having named an unchanged line up in his last two games after criticism for his constant tinkering during his first four games at the helm.

Academy graduate Freddie Potts is already a fan favourite, while only Paqueta has completed more tackles and interceptions than Mateus Fernandes, who is finding his feet after his £42million move from Southampton.

Issues remain in defence, with West Ham conceding yet another headed goal against Burnley, while Alphonse Areola continues to look shaky in goal, spilling the ball into the path of Josh Cullen as Scott Parker’s side scored with the last kick of the game.

Nuno still has plenty to sort out ahead of a tricky run of fixtures after the international break.

West Ham take on Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Manchester United in their next three games.

But, in coming from behind to win successive games, his side have shown resilience and togetherness that will keep fans on their side and keep them looking up the table.