Nuno Espirito Santo insists West Ham fans understand his worst decision yet

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Nuno Espirito Santo has moved to defend what many West Ham fans see as his worst decision so far, insisting supporters understand his thinking.

There have been clear improvements at West Ham under Nuno Espirito Santo.

But there’s no hiding the fact it has been a topsy turvy start to life in the weird and wonderful world of West Ham for the Portuguese.

After encouraging team selections and performances in his opening matches at Everton and Arsenal, Nuno appeared to take leave of his senses for crucial matches against Brentford and Leeds.

A series of baffling decisions to drop key players and suddenly bring outcasts in from the cold left Hammers fans bewildered.

Nuno criticised by West Ham fans over worst decision yet

Sanity was restored when West Ham welcomed Newcastle and Burnley to the London Stadium before the November international break.

Results followed too as the Irons won both, scoring six goals in the process.

That breathed new life into the season.

West Ham then looked on course for three wins in a row at Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Hammers were winning 2-0 at half-time thanks to two brilliant Callum Wilson goals against his old side.

Wilson had not been hugely involved in West Ham’s all-round play but was providing a focal point for attacks and crosses and a clear goal threat.

Then came what many Hammers fans have been calling Nuno’s worst decision yet as manager.

In the 51st-minute he substituted Wilson, bringing on Tomas Soucek as an auxiliary striker.

The call completely shifted the momentum of the match, with the Hammers collapsing from a dominant 2–0 position to draw 2–2.

But despite the backlash, Nuno insists the fanbase “understands” why he made the change — even if the aftermath suggests otherwise.

Since the draw, West Ham have been forced to respond to claims Nuno could be sacked.

In reality, any point for the Hammers on the road in the Premier League is a good one.

Nuno insists fans understand context of Wilson clanger

Defeat for Leeds meant West Ham were elevated out of the bottom three by the point, taking the edge off the surrender from 2-0 up.

In the end West Ham could and perhaps should have lost to the Cherries. They would have too were it not for Alphonse Areola playing the game of his life.

Nuno has been criticised by many West Ham fans for the early substitution of Wilson.

He has also taken flak for withdrawing Mateus Fernandes, the main legs in West Ham’s midfield.

The Hammers boss has now broken his silence on the clanger.

But he is adamant supporters ultimately understood the context of the game when he went over to them afterwards at the Vitality.

“In the second half, momentum changed and it was about Bournemouth,” Nuno told The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas.

“We were against the ropes I thought let’s have a sitter (which is why I brought off Wilson)…

“He (Wilson) can play a full match if we decide that’s the best plan of action. But it’s what you want him to do during the full match, and I’m going to be very honest, we have to manage the situation.

Nuno says Wilson can play a full game ‘if needed’

“We have games, Niclas (Fullkrug) is coming back and we are using Tomas as a striker. There are many things that we have to take into consideration.”

Speaking in a separate interview with West Ham’s media team, Nuno defended his decision again – saying the travelling fans ultimately appreciated it was a good point regardless.

“Let me start by saying we had a two-goal advantage, but in the end when we went to our fans, the fans realised the effort of the players,” Nuno said.

“I think our fans – let me finish by the way I started – when we went there, I think they recognised that the boys really worked very hard and with improvement, for sure we’ll have better days.”