"Our mission is still far from accomplished, and we have a tough task ahead of us." Nuno Espirito Santo remained cautious despite his team's recent success, as he sat down with Sky Sports on Friday. This mindset has been consistent, even after West Ham's 4-0 win over Wolves, which lifted them out of the relegation zone.
The team's position was further solidified by Tottenham's draw with Brighton, ensuring West Ham will stay out of the bottom three ahead of their upcoming match against Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football. "Let's focus on our game plan and not get distracted by the league table," Nuno advised his players.
While this approach may be prudent for the team, West Ham fans have every reason to be optimistic about their team's current position. The turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. On January 6, West Ham were seven points away from safety after losing to Nottingham Forest. In contrast, Spurs were 13 points ahead.
However, with five wins in their last 11 Premier League games, West Ham have managed to climb above the relegation zone. The team has undergone significant changes, with players like Lucas Paqueta, James Ward-Prowse, and Guido Rodriguez leaving during the winter transfer window. New signings, including Axel Disasi, Taty Castellanos, and Adama Traore, have brought a fresh dynamic to the squad. "We reduced our squad size and rebalanced our team in terms of positions to suit our approach for the second half of the season," Nuno explained.
The impact of these changes is evident in West Ham's style of play. Prior to January 16, the team ranked 17th in goals per game, 19th in big chances created, and 16th in possession. Since then, they have adopted a more direct approach, ranking sixth in goals per game and big chances created, while sacrificing possession. The team has also become more solid defensively, with four clean sheets in their last eight Premier League games, thanks in part to the return of Mads Hermansen in goal and the addition of Axel Disasi to the defense.
Set-piece vulnerabilities have been addressed, with the team conceding only three goals from these situations in their last 11 games, all of which came in a single match against Liverpool. According to Nuno, the key to West Ham's success lies in the bonds formed among the players. "Everyone has come together with a shared objective," he said.
"This collective spirit is essential for our success. Football is a team sport, and we need everyone working together to achieve our goals." This camaraderie was on full display during the recent FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Leeds, where West Ham came back from 2-0 down to take the game to extra-time and eventually penalties. "The fact that we didn't give up, even when things seemed hopeless, shows our resolve," Nuno said. "We cannot afford to give up, and we showed that in front of our fans." Captain Jarrod Bowen embodies this spirit, having hit the woodwork twice during the cup tie and then seeing his spot-kick saved.
He responded with two assists in the 4-0 win over Wolves. "Jarrod has been instrumental for us," Nuno praised. "He leads by example, and his teammates trust him.
As the club captain, he's taken on a lot of responsibility and hasn't stopped giving his all." With their renewed energy and sense of purpose, West Ham will face Crystal Palace on Monday night, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities they've created for themselves. "Every game is high-pressure, and it's even more intense given our situation and the decisive moment we're in," Nuno acknowledged.
"We expect our players to give their best, knowing that everything will be decided now."