The finger of blame is pointing in many directions at West Ham, chiefly at the boardroom, but one man who has been in the firing line of late has also left the club after Graham Potter’s sacking.
West Ham are onto their fourth manager in just over a year after Graham Potter was replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo on Saturday.
Hammers fans have made it perfectly clear they believe the blame for the club’s decline rests with the owners.
On the pitch, a malaise set in during the last six months of David Moyes’ tenure and West Ham have got progressively worse ever since.
Potter followed in the footsteps of Julen Lopetegui in trying but failing to turn the Hammers around.
Like Lopetegui, Potter also failed to inspire supporters.
West Ham’s biggest problem on the pitch was getting worse
West Ham’s issues are much more deep-rooted than what’s happening on the pitch.
But it is there where Potter failed to provide enough evidence he was building something.
The Hammers go into the game against Everton in the bottom two of the fledgling Premier League table with a new manager at the helm in Nuno.
The Portuguese has a tough job on his hands to turn the Hammers around but has proved with previous clubs he has the wherewithal to manage it.
One of his first tasks will be to address West Ham’s porous defence.
No team in the top flight have conceded more goals than the Hammers’ 13, equal to the amount shipped by Burnley and Wolves.
It is set-pieces which have been the single most alarming aspect of West Ham’s play this season, though.
Under Moyes, West Ham were among the Premier League’s best at set-pieces – both in attack and defence.
Now they are the most vulnerable.
West Ham have conceded seven of their 13 goals from corners in five games this season.
That is a new Premier League record for this stage of the season and well on course, at the current rate, to break the unwanted season-long record by Christmas.
Clearly Potter has to take his share of the blame for that mess.
Especially as new goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has been a central figure in the worrying vulnerability – along with a group of centre-backs who can’t – and don’t seem to want to – head the football.
Man many blame for West Ham’s struggles sends leaving message
The Hammers are one of the few Premier League clubs who do not employ a specialist set-pieces coach.
Before the start of the season one of Potter’s assistants, Narcís Pèlach, revealed he is the man in charge of set-play at West Ham.
So scrutiny understandably turned to former Stoke boss Pelach as West Ham’s set-piece woes went from bad to worse.
Now the man many are blaming for West Ham’s latest struggles has sent a leaving message.
When announcing the departure of Potter, the Hammers also revealed his entire backroom staff was being cleared out too – including Pelach.
Nuno will be bringing in his own extensive backroom team but is being assisted for the time being by West Ham’s academy coaches.
Like Potter, Pelach had been subjected to the ire of many West Ham fans on social media as a result of the dismal start to the campaign.
But there is clearly no hard feelings on his part as he sent a classy farewell message to the club and supporters.
Pelach admits he leaves West Ham with a feeling of disappointment at failing and insists he did try his best to help the players to improve.
But despite his sacking, he is proud to have represented an ‘incredible club’.
Set-piece man Pelach says he worked hard to improve West Ham players
“We are really disappointed to not have done better,” Pelach said on X.
“We worked very hard to achieve the results we wanted but it was not enough.
“I would like to thank Graham Potter for giving me the opportunity to work for such an incredible club.
“To the players and all staff for your commitment, dedication and respect.
“I sincerely appreciate all the warmth and kindness given to us.
“Also, a big thank you to the fans for your support from day one. I wish you all every success for the future.”
It is never nice to see someone lose their job.
And after failing at Stoke and West Ham, it is difficult to see where the opportunity comes along for Pelach, unless it is assisting Potter again in a new role.
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