Nuno Espirito Santo has singled out one star he says is the perfect example of what is expected of a West Ham player.
West Ham finally look like they are on the up under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Wins over Newcastle and Burnley followed by a draw at Bournemouth have propelled West Ham out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Now Nuno must somehow keep the Hammers above that dreaded dotted line come what May.
Key to that will be harnessing the team spirit and resilience that has been clear in recent weeks as well as the improved performances.
Captain Jarrod Bowen has carried the Hammers on his back during the dark days of the last two years, when West Ham have only won 19 of 69 Premier League matches.
About time Hammers stars stepped up to help Bowen
Bowen always leads from the front and by example.
But even he has showed signs of late that the weight of responsibility eventually takes its toll with some uncharacteristically below par performances by the supremely high standards he has set over the years.
It is long overdue that other Hammers players started to step up and take some of the responsibility off Bowen.
Thankfully that has been the case in recent weeks.
Callum Wilson has been scoring goals, Lucas Paqueta has been much-improved, Jean-Clair Todibo looks a different player under Nuno and Alphonse Areola is back to his best.
Key to most of West Ham’s problems over the last couple of years has been their woeful midfield.
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The manager has settled on a combination of the brilliant Mateus Fernandes, Paqueta and Academy graduate Freddie Potts in the last three games, though.
That has been key to West Ham turning a corner and breathing new life into their season.
Now Nuno has named a star who shows what’s expected of a West Ham player and it’s not Bowen.
It goes without saying that skipper Bowen is everything you want and expect from a Hammers player.
His workrate, desire, passion and effort – not to mention his talent, goals and assists – have already marked Bowen out as a West Ham legend.
The emergence of Potts in the starting XI has lifted the mood most in the fanbase, though.
Nuno names star who shows what’s expected of a West Ham player
‘Freddie Potts, he’s one of our own’ being chanted relentlessly by supporters is all the evidence needed of that.
Nuno is a man of few words when answering questions during press conferences.
The Portuguese is also usually reluctant to single out players for praise or criticism.
While that was also the case when he was asked directly about Potts, Nuno did highlight the dogged, all-action midfielder as an example of what should be expected from any West Ham player.
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“I think all the players are improving (and) that is our objective – to improve the players individually, so that they can help the team,” Nuno said in his pre-Liverpool presser.
“It doesn’t matter whether the players are starting or coming on from the bench, they are all going to be needed. With the amount of games we have, all the players are going to be involved.
“Freddie (Potts) is an example of what we expect of a West Ham player, he is an example of that.
“He comes in and makes an impact, and I hope he continues to do that.”
Fans will love seeing Nuno’s praise for Potts, who is expected to start for the Hammers when they face Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Another top performance from Potts in that game will have his name on everyone’s lips.
The way the young midfielder has been smashing into the opposition and competing in every duel has lifted the levels of his teammates.
It is no coincidence West Ham are unbeaten since Potts came into the starting XI.
As Nuno says himself, long may that continue.
And maybe, after Mark Noble, the club may have found its new Mr West Ham.
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