West Ham forgotten men back in from the cold as part of Nuno Espirito Santo plan | OneFootball

Hammers togetherness grows as door reopened to players previously cast aside

West Ham find themselves outside the Premier League relegation zone for the first time since August after their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend.

Nuno, in his own softly-spoken manner, has pleaded patience throughout his time in charge so far. With seven points from their last three games, his composure at a time of increasing tension around the club has helped put them on the right path.

The Portuguese coach has experimented, arguably at times to a fault, but he has also left the door open for players previously cast aside.

That flexibility has given the likes of Callum Wilson, who has three goals in his last two games, Andy Irving and Luis Guilherme a new lease of life, with West Ham benefiting from a more harmonious atmosphere within the squad.

Opportunities are there to be earned, and Nuno is rewarding those who have stepped up since he arrived at the end of September.

Scotland midfielder Irving, who will be eyeing up a spot in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad, has long been a figure of mystery, with West Ham remarkably never having formally announced his signing.

Bright future: Luis Guilherme made only his second Premier League start for West Ham against Bournemouth

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The 25-year-old’s West Ham stint was considered all but over, with his contract expiring next summer. However, under Nuno, he has been brought back in from the cold to provide depth.

An unused substitute in West Ham’s last three games, Irving is certainly not a mainstay in Nuno’s team. But the fact that the former Wolves boss has been willing to involve him shows that there is a willingness to give second chances.

Another midfielder seemingly back in contention for minutes under Nuno is Luis Guilherme, who made just his second Premier League start against Bournemouth.

A £25million signing from Palmeiras last summer, Guilherme’s arrival sparked plenty of excitement. As of yet, though, he has been restricted to just 243 minutes across all competitions.

The Brazilian was always going to take time to adapt to the Premier League. But with Nuno at the helm, there appears to be a bright future for the teenager, who had been linked with a move away in January.

Nuno has always maintained that it is on him and the players he has at his disposal to turn around the club’s fortunes.

The resurgence of Wilson, who, after netting twice against his former club Bournemouth, was withdrawn early in the second half, much to the dismay of many supporters, is case and point for Nuno’s methods.

It was only around a month ago that Nuno was having to bat away suggestions that Wilson was on a pay-as-you-play contract. Now he is having to apologise for taking him off the pitch. It’s a nice problem for Nuno to have, given how stretched his squad is.

Nuno wants a tight-knit squad that, while perhaps lacking quality, at least has spirit

Centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo is yet another player enjoying a resurgence. Left out of Nuno’s first two squads, the Frenchman has started West Ham’s last five games.

There are opportunities aplenty at West Ham, but with that in mind, what does it say for the future of James Ward-Prowse?

A mainstay under Potter, the English midfielder has not featured at all under Nuno, left out of all seven of his matchday squads.

A January move is very much on the cards for Ward-Prowse, so too it seems for striker Niclas Fullkrug.

For as much as Nuno has been willing to offer second chances, this is a West Ham squad that still needs to trim the fat in order to build some semblance of stability.

It would be no bad thing for either party were Ward-Prowse or Fullkrug, both in their thirties, to move on.

Ultimately, West Ham have for too long given time to players who should be sold; Nuno wants a tight-knit squad that, while perhaps lacking quality, at least has spirit.

Down towards the bottom of the Premier League, that togetherness can do a lot for a team, and Nuno appreciates that.