Nuno: West Ham require a change in mindset and additional signings

Two days after West Ham's loss to Wolves at Molineux, Nuno Espirito Santo is still trying to comprehend his team's first-half collapse. What went so wrong? "I'm being very honest with you, I still don't understand," he tells Sky Sports. "We analyzed the game, discussed it with the players, and they're aware of what transpired. It was terrible. We started poorly, made errors, and it's difficult to explain. It's not just about the initial mistake; we failed to respond to it, both defensively and offensively. The passing lines were off, with passes just a yard away, not providing an advantage to our teammates. Numerous things went awry at Wolves. Nuno described the defeat as the worst in his managerial career, and it doesn't get any easier to deal with setbacks like the one on Saturday. "It's the worst feeling in the world, believe me. There are many bad things that happen, but when you're in this job, it's really hard. It haunts you and lingers until the next match. The loss highlighted the lack of confidence among his players, with West Ham now on a nine-game unbeaten run. "Yes, it has to do with confidence as well," says Nuno. However, the timing made it even more painful for the head coach. West Ham, in 18th place, could have narrowed the gap to Nottingham Forest to one point with a win, having stopped a run of three consecutive losses with last week's 2-2 draw at home to Brighton. "Previously, we performed really well," says Nuno. "In the previous match, we competed really well. We've had good performances and results, draws that could have been wins. We were on the verge of something, and we felt like we were almost there, but we took a step back at Wolves. That's a huge frustration for me and the squad. We're aware of what we're trying to build, and suddenly, in 10 or 15 minutes, it creates so much doubt and affects the players' confidence. It's natural. Now, it's up to us to reset and realize that what truly matters is tomorrow. In football, what matters is what you do on the day. We need to gain confidence from within ourselves and trust our teammates. Rebuilding the confidence of his players is one of the biggest challenges facing Nuno as he prepares to face another former club in Forest. They cannot afford another start like the one at Molineux. But he identifies defending leads as the side's biggest issue. West Ham have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season. "When you're ahead in a game, when you score and have 10 or 15 minutes to go, with the situation we're in, the instinct is to protect," explains Nuno. "You protect yourself because you're holding on to something. To make that change, you have to realize that maybe it should be the other way around. We have something, let's protect it by attacking, let's protect it by being more aggressive. Nuno agrees that it's about a mentality shift. "We need, we need, we need, we need," he repeats. Nuno has a role to play in it himself, and some of his substitutions have been questioned by fans. Does he appreciate the importance of his in-game changes in maintaining momentum? "Yes, and that's why I think this transfer window will be very helpful for us in terms of rebalancing the squad and having options that can change our mindset," he says. West Ham have already completed the signings of two forwards, Pablo Felipe from Gil Vicente and Taty Castellanos from Lazio, and are in discussions over a potential deal for another Nuno-approved target in Fulham winger Adama Traore. "Grateful," says Nuno of the early transfer business. "Grateful because it was a need. I think we've done well in a transfer window that's very tricky to operate. Pablo was at the Wolves game, now we have Taty, and we hope we can have more. We hope that we can have more because it's the right moment to try and impact the squad and give it the help it deserves and needs. We need options. Nuno is excited about what their first two attacking recruits can bring. Pablo is a "talented player, dynamic, hard worker, nice boy," while Castellanos is described as "slightly more experienced" and a "mobile" addition. "We are really positive," adds Nuno. "I think the club is working really, really hard on that aspect. But we have to realize that it was really important that we do so. There's a lot of football to be played, and we need to be stronger, so we can fight with more weapons. They will certainly need to be ready for a fight against Nottingham Forest. Like Nuno, Sean Dyche is in need of a positive result. His side's defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday was their fourth in a row. It's a crucial fixture for both sides in the battle against relegation. "We have to put up a fight," says Nuno when asked what he wants to see from his side on the back of the Wolves game. "We have to react to mistakes. We have to be much braver, much stronger. It has to do with mentality, tactical effort, energy, so many things. We have to put it together because we know that in front of us is going to be a tough opponent. It's going to be very tough. We have to be aware of the danger that Forest possess. At the same time, they're also aware that they're going to face a very determined West Ham. Nuno is too focused on West Ham for any sentimentality about facing his former side. "It's not disrespect, it's not about that, the love and the respect and the good times and all these things. Tomorrow, everything is put aside, and it's all about West Ham. The job he has taken on has become all-consuming. "I don't think about anything else," he adds. "There are so many things happening in the world, and sometimes I get surprised. 'Oh, this happened?' It's really strange. The former Forest boss can expect a warm reception from the traveling fans at the London Stadium on Tuesday. But what is his message to those of West Ham as they approach a game of such significance, knowing an upturn in results is urgently required? "I think the fans are aware," he says. "They know the team, they know the players, the squad, they know football very, very well. We need them. But it's up to us. It's up to us to start giving. Watch West Ham vs Nottingham Forest live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7pm on Tuesday; kick-off 8pm.