"Our mission is still far from accomplished, and we have a tough task at hand." Nuno Espirito Santo remained cautious when speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, following his team's 4-0 win over Wolves that lifted them out of the relegation zone. The outcome of Tottenham's draw with Brighton on Saturday, which ensured West Ham's position above the bottom three ahead of their Monday Night Football match against Crystal Palace, did little to change his mindset.
"Let's focus on our game plan and ignore the league standings," Nuno advised his players. While this approach may be wise for his 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 trailed safety by seven points, with Spurs a distant 13 points ahead.
However, five wins in 11 Premier League games have propelled them above the crucial dotted line, and they now resemble a rejuvenated team, with a revamped squad. The winter transfer window saw the departure of Lucas Paqueta, James Ward-Prowse, Guido Rodriguez, Andry Irving, George Earthy, Luis Guilherme, and Niclas Fullkrug, while Axel Disasi, Taty Castellanos, Pablo Felip, Adama Traore, and Keiber Lamadrid joined the team.
"We reduced our squad size and rebalanced our positions to suit our approach for the second half of the season," Nuno explained. The shift in style is evident. From August to January 16, West Ham ranked 17th in goals per game, 19th in big chances created, and 16th in possession.
Since then, they've adopted a more possession-less approach, ranking 20th in the league for possession, but sixth for goals per game and big chances created. By giving their front players more freedom and confidence, while bolstering their defense with four clean sheets in their last eight Premier League games, West Ham has become a more formidable team.
The return of Mads Hermansen in goal and the addition of loan signing Disasi have also addressed set-piece weaknesses, with only three concessions in the past 11 games. According to Nuno, the key to their success lies in the bonds formed among the players. "If I had to pinpoint one aspect, it's that everyone has come together with a common objective," he said.
"This is the main point that can help us achieve better things. Football is a collective sport, and we're getting closer together, helping each other to achieve our goals." This camaraderie was on full display during their recent FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Leeds on penalties. Despite being down 2-0, West Ham fought back to take the game to extra-time and eventually penalties, showcasing their refusal to give up.
"We showed that we don't give up, and we cannot give up," Nuno said. "Not just words – we showed it in front of our fans. We cannot allow ourselves to ever give up. Never give up." Captain Jarrod Bowen sets the tone for the team, and his response to the cup tie, where he hit the woodwork twice and saw his spot-kick saved, was nothing short of remarkable.
He went on to provide two assists in the thrashing of Wolves. "He's been amazing, and the team trusts him," Nuno said. "He leads by example, and his attitude is the message we want to convey as a squad. No matter the situation, we keep pushing, we keep believing, and Jarrod is the proof of that." As West Ham prepares to face Crystal Palace on Monday night, they're ready to take on the challenges ahead, together.
"Every game is high-pressure, and it's intensified due to our situation and the decisive moment we're in," Nuno said. "We expect the best from our players, realizing that everything will be decided now."