West Ham United

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We asked for your views on Nuno Espirito Santo's future at West Ham and whether there is a chance he can still progress the team or if his time is all but over.

Here are some of your comments:

Al: He hasn't improved West Ham. They remain frail in defence and disjointed elsewhere. Sadly, West Ham's best recent manager was David Moyes who the fans never took to despite him winning a European trophy. I wonder how they feel now? The two strikers brought in seem like panic buys but have to be better than an ageing Callum Wilson and an incompetent Niklas Fulkrug. But the writing is on the wall now surely?

Bubba: This is not a difficult issue to identify and resolve. The problem is not our manager. Nuno is more than capable of keeping a team up in the Premier League and he has proved as much in the past. The problem is the board and how the club is run. We are the seventh-ranked Premier League team, in terms of revenues. This means that, if run properly, the Hammers should average out at seventh in the standings every year (a lucky year, Champions League places; an unlucky year, mid-table). The fact that we are constantly underperforming has nothing to do with an individual manager or player. It reflects a systemic mismanagement of the club as a whole.

Mike: He needs to go. No-one can understand his tactics. Too many mistakes to mention just one. His selections do not make much sense. He doesn't seem to have much passion for the job. Get Slaven Bilic or Michael Carrick in now.

David: Another sacked manager appointed. We only want a manager with no buyout clause. If you appoint failed managers and always try and get bargain players from relegated clubs, then what do you expect? Sack Nuno now to give us a fighting chance of staying up and then put the club up for sale.

Andy: Yet another out-of-work manager who has shown that they cannot work in this circus of a club. From a footballing side, it does not take a genius to work out that West Ham are shocking at defending set pieces - the communication between goalkeeper and defenders is an obvious problem that he's failed to solve.

Roger: Nuno should never have been appointed, no clues to team or style. Board have no clue as to what a manager should be so ultimately to blame.

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West Ham forward Callum Marshall has completed a loan move to German second-tier side VFL Bochum.

The 21-year-old will spend the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign with the team managed by former Manchester City forward Uwe Rosler.

A winner of both the U18 Premier League South and FA Youth Cup, Marshall made his debut for the Hammers as a substitute at Arsenal in October, and also featured off the bench against Brentford at London Stadium later the same month.

The Northern Ireland international spent last season on loan with League One side Huddersfield Town, scoring 10 goals and winning the player of the year award.

Marshall will now join 10th-placed Bochum with the aim of helping them push for promotion in the second half of the season.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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How can a player be offside when the ball has been played to them by an opposition player?

You can understand why fans might be confused, especially so for West Ham's 'goal' on Tuesday night, disallowed by the VAR for offside, in their 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest.

Hammers winger Crysencio Summerville touched the ball forward, Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic made a block tackle and that sent the ball to West Ham's Taty Castellanos. Ten seconds later, West Ham thought Summerville had scored.

An offside phase is locked in by the final touch of a team-mate, even if that is not a pass. When Summerville played the ball, Castellanos was offside.

It then comes down to what is called a 'deliberate play' by a defender, as this resets offside and would allow the goal to count.

But the lawmakers do not consider a 'deliberate play' as an intention to touch the ball. There must be the realistic expectation of a controlled outcome.

Milenkovic making a block or a tackle does not count because he did not know where the ball might end up.

A 'deliberate play' that goes to an opponent is usually a misplaced pass or a skewed clearance.

The logic is an attacker should not be allowed to gain an advantage from being in an offside position when a defender is simply doing their job – and not making a mistake.

The most high profile disallowed goal came in the 2022 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Madrid forward Federico Valverde touched the ball and both Ibrahima Konate and Fabinho made block tackles. The ball squirmed to Karim Benzema who scored, but he was offside from Valverde's touch.

Such offside decisions are always controversial for the team that suffers, but this is how the lawmakers intend it to be applied.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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The stats make grim reading.

With four draws and six losses, it is the first time West Ham have gone 10 Premier League games without a win since a run of 11 between December 2006 and March 2007.

Only Bournemouth with 16 have dropped more top-flight points from winning positions than the Hammers' 15, while West Ham have also failed to win any of their past five matches when scoring first.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided Nottingham Forest to Europe last season before being dismissed three games into 2025-26, has now picked up 11 points from 16 matches since he replaced the sacked Graham Potter in September.

That is the worst start from any West Ham boss in the Premier League era, with the back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley in November - Nuno's only two successes - quickly fading from memory.

Former West Ham and England goalkeeper Rob Green told Sky Sports change is needed at London Stadium.

"Ten games without a win you're wondering, where is the answer now? Where do West Ham go now? Where does Nuno go from here? You can't see things continuing much longer with results like this," he said.

"They need at least 30 points to have any chance of staying up and they're not going to get close at this rate.

"I don't see Nuno staying. I just can't see it how you can go this long without winning a game. This wasn't the worst performance by a long shot and they still didn't get a result.

"It's heartbreaking but I don't see another answer. It's looking more and more an impossible task."

Read the full article here

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West Ham "were robbed" by "a joke penalty" against Nottingham Forest or this side under Nuno Espirito Santo is doomed?

We have had both sets of reaction this morning so choose how you feel about the under-fire boss in our poll over here.

And explain your thinking using this form.

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Mick: They tried . It's all you can say. They simply aren't good enough for this league. Not the worst West Ham team ever, but close. The mistakes in possession ran to over 40. The defending utterly chaotic. I'll excuse Jarrod Bowen as he is the only player that could play for a top five club. The rest are League One or lower. Another 14 games of this? Roll on relegation.

Rob: A reasonable performance. We've played worse and won, although not this season. Nuno hasn't lost the dressing room. It's sad to see Bowen s body language - after all he's done for the club.

Matt: Much better performance from the lads. We are looking more like a team and have far more presence in midfield. We were unlucky with quite a few (albeit probably correct) decisions, but definitely a small step in the right direction. New signings looked lively.

Robert: Not enough pressing. Too many long balls. The referee penalised good tackles giving Forest the advantage and he missed the foul on Crysencio Summerville that led to a penalty.

Richard: Gutted - we were robbed. I think this is the pivotal game that will send us down.

Nottingham Forest fans

Mark: Unconvincing again. We'll probably only survive because of there being three worse teams than us, rather than deserving to stay here. Desperately need an out-and-out striker and we're missing Chris Wood badly.

Kris: Truthfully, we shaded it. VAR were on our side and Nicolas Dominguez's header looped in with a big slice of luck. Hopefully this gives us the boost we needed and we can get some reinforcements in to help. In a word - phew!

Simon: Forest just about deserved the win, but yet again were very ineffective in the box. Igor Jesus works hard, is strong and holds the ball up well, but lacks height and pace.

Dave: Massive three points. I'm still not fully convinced by Dycheball and it is a bit worrying that it took the VAR decision to wake us up, but ultimately we got the job done.

Ben: Relief doesn't even come close to describing my reaction to that match. That may well be a season-defining result. But as important as it is, it doesn't hide the fact that Forest are a shadow of their former selves. Will they recapture their previous verve any time soon? It's not looking overly likely.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Nuno Espirito Santo's position as West Ham head coach is heavily under the microscope.

Supporters and pundits have already written off the Portuguese's chances of keeping the club in the Premier League. But the real question to ask is: what do the owners think of the job Nuno is doing?

Well, there is certainly disappointment at the results that have left them rooted in the bottom three.

There is similar sentiment towards the performance of the team and thus the manager.

But the club's hierarchy are desperate to make Nuno's appointment a success.

They are actively backing him in the transfer market. The signings of Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos were both players selected by Nuno.

So to pull the rug from under him, having made signings on the manager's recommendation, would seem nonsensical. But the threat of relegation can radically change the direction of travel.

West Ham are seven points adrift from safety. That scenario will really test the board's backing of their under-pressure boss.

Striker Michail Antonio, formerly of West Ham, has seen a proposed deal with Leicester City fall through after picking up a muscle injury. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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It proved to be another frustrating evening for boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who has now collected only 11 points from his 16 games in charge of the Hammers since replacing the sacked Graham Potter in September.

That is the lowest total from any West Ham boss in the Premier League era - and the side now face an almighty battle if they are to stay in the top flight, which they have been in since 2012-13.

They were booed off at the end of the match by some of the remaining fans, though a large number had left before the final whistle.

Nuno, booked in the second half for complaining after a decision had gone against his side, had apologised to fans for what he called an "embarrassing" performance during their 3-0 loss to bottom club Wolves on Saturday.

He would have been pleased with his side's effort against Forest, though a lack of clinical finishing again proved decisive.

After they led through Murillo's 13th-minute own goal, the hosts had chances to double their lead, but could not do so and then Nicolas Dominguez equalised.

But Morgan Gibbs-White's 89th-minute penalty was a real sickener and the Hammers are seven points from safety - and in huge trouble.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Nottingham Forest: "Very tight margins and a goal ruled out that we had that would put us in front. Then a lot of incidents with the penalty - a tough match.

"I think we did enough things to win the match. The boys worked very hard. I think we did enough to win it."

On debutants Pablo and Taty Castellanos: "Good, they have settled in with the team. They have qualities and they have come to help.

"We have to keep going, keep believing, and keep working. It is not over."

More from Nuno on Sky Sports: "I think we did enough good things to win the match today. The boys really worked hard. We got the advantage, we scored a goal ruled out by fine margins of offside, that was the moment of the game, and a lot of incidents happened, but I've got nothing to say about the hard work.

"That was the idea [to score early] and the boys did it. We had good combinations and control, we had good threat in attack. It was a good first half.

We started the second half well. There was a foul on the edge of the box on Summerville and then that leads to Forest breaking out, this takes the mind out of the players and makes it hard to explain how things happen."

On the penalty: "It happens so many times during the matches that you get confused about the rules honestly. How many times has this happened and penalties have not been given? So I don't quite understand.

"Areola goes for the ball, Soucek takes the ball out and then he cannot stop his movement, so hard to explain."

On the fans: "It's hard to ask them anything. It's hard to explain. We understand their frustration and the sadness and we are all the same. What to say? Keep helping us. Again they showed today when the team gives, they give back the support that we need. Today the boys showed that we are here to keep the fight."

On his belief: "You know me. I'll keep on going, believing and working with the boys. Sometimes you have good moments and bad moments but you need to be resilient enough to understand that this is the game."

Did you know?

• West Ham have gone 10 consecutive Premier League games without a victory for the first time since a run of 11 between December 2006 and March 2007.

• West Ham (12) and Forest (eight) have conceded more goals from corners than any other side in the league this season, with both team's opening goals coming in this manner.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

West Ham give a debut to Argentina international striker Valentin Castellanos, who joined the Hammers earlier this week for an undisclosed fee from Italian side Lazio.

He is one of four changes from the team that lost 3-0 at bottom side Wolves, with starts also for Jean-Clair Todibo, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta.

Sean Dyche makes two changes for Nottingham Forest as Callum Hudson-Odoi is in for Dilane Bakwa, while Matz Sels is in goal after John Victor sustained an injury in the 3-1 loss to Aston Villa at the weekend.

Holly Turbutt
Fan contributor

Our West Ham fan contributor Holly Turbutt reflects on the mounting pressure on boss Nuno Espirito Santo, following the weekend loss at Wolves.

She says scrutiny about his job is understandable, but feels that given the Hammers' early moves in the January transfer window, it would make little sense to remove him from his role at this stage.

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham will slip seven points adrift of safety if they lose to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (20:00 GMT) in a game which sees Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo face the club that sacked him in September. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before the match.

Pressure growing on Espirito Santo

Saturday's 3-0 defeat by bottom club Wolves - previously winless - marked a new low for West Ham under Nuno. The head coach had to apologise to Hammers fans who had travelled to Molineux, admitting the first-half display was "embarrassing".

The 51-year-old also highlighted "a lack of effort that is really concerning", questioning whether some of his squad "realise the situation we are in". The Hammers hierarchy certainly do and, even if doubts are creeping in over the wisdom of appointing Nuno, they have sanctioned urgent spending in the January transfer window to give the club a fighting chance of survival.

Brazilian striker Pablo Felipe was an unused substitute against Wolves after joining from Portuguese side Gil Vicente for a reported £21.8m fee, while Argentine forward Taty Castellanos arrived from Lazio on Monday for approximately £26m.

New signings are clearly needed as the managerial change has not sparked an improvement. In fact, since Nuno took charge on 27 September they have averaged fewer points per game than under his processor Graham Potter, also conceding more goals and scoring fewer.

And yet, West Ham are chasing a first top-flight double over Forest since 1968-69, having won 3-0 at the City Ground in August — a result that proved to be Nuno's final match in charge of the two-time European Cup winners.

Should his current side lose on Tuesday, his future as Hammers boss will come under increased scrutiny.

Error-prone Forest must get back to basics

Unlike the Hammers, Nottingham Forest initially enjoyed an upturn in form when Sean Dyche took charge in October, with the Englishman winning four of his first eight league fixtures.

However, he has since lost four in a row and now faces the prospect of five consecutive Premier League defeats in a single season for the first time in his managerial career.

Dyche said after Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa that there have been "good signs" during his overall tenure but admitted "what changes the story is when you put a run together like we have".

Forest's hopes of a result at the weekend vanished when goalkeeper John Victor rashly raced off his line, allowing John McGinn to score Villa's third. Dyche insists his side must cut out those "basic errors", adding "the mentality is there but you can't keep giving yourself a mountain to climb".

The stats support Dyche's view. Forest have committed 22 errors leading to an opposition shot this season – the joint-second highest figure in the Premier League.

And while Dyche's belt-and-braces approach was expected to tighten up the Forest rearguard, it is notable that four of the six goals they have conceded due to errors have come under his watch.

Nottingham Forest have lost four games in a row but West Ham are in even worse shape.

The manner of their defeat at Wolves on Saturday has cranked up the pressure on Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

West Ham beat Forest 3-0 earlier this season but, unfortunately for Nuno, that was when he was still Forest boss - it was his final game in charge.

How he could do with another 3-0 West Ham win this time, but I do not see it happening.

It is a nightmare for them to be at home, really, because you can imagine what the mood will be like inside the stadium before kick-off.

I don't think it will have improved by full-time, either. I just have a feeling Sean Dyche's Forest will have a bit more nous, and will sneak a narrow win.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Forward Callum Wilson is in talks to end his West Ham contract after just five months at the club. (Athletic - subscription required), external

The Hammers are interested in signing Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, 25, from Wolves, but Crystal Palace are prepared to rival. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on West Ham's latest signing Valentin 'Taty' Castellanos from Lazio.

Here are some of your comments:

Felix: He looks like a technically gifted forward. I don't expect lots of goals, but I hope he can bring energy and link-up play. Nuno has been choosing Lucas Paqueta as a false nine. I think that's the plan for Taty.

Tristan: If he is anything like the last Argentinian forward we signed under similar circumstances, then we should be in for a treat. Hopeful for some more additions as we are in great need of a centre-half or two - especially after Saturday's embarrassing performance. May all be too little too late if we lose to Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.

Shane: Seeing is believing. We have had so many players who are going to do this and that in the last few years, it's hard to be enthusiastic.

Tim: I think it's a bit late for this season. Championship beckons for the 2026-27 season. To be honest, it would be better to win a few matches in the EFL than put up with miserable seasons like this!

James: Always welcome any new signing that could potentially help the club pull away from danger; however, I can't help but feel Premier League-ready players need to be added who know what it takes to get out of this mess!

Chris: We could sign Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr, but as long as we have a defence as bad as ours, it would not matter!

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jean-Clair Todibo and Lucas Paqueta are "trying hard" to be fit for selection after missing the defeat by Wolves on Saturday, but Nuno said the club will decide on Tuesday.

• Forwards Taty Castellano and Pablo Felipe have joined the Hammers during this January transfer window and Nuno believes the duo's "help" will be crucial: "Now we are in the moment of re-balance. Two players have come in who I can see are good options. Two players who can help - and that's the word - we need help. We need help from those coming but also we are ones who have to improve and make the situation better."

• He added: "Two players that I really believe can bring new things to the team. We had many names but they were the ones who I can see can make an impact. As coaches and clubs these days, these are good chances to try and re-balance. We have to try to make it right with players who can come with purpose and intention to help. Be brave to join us."

• On any further reinforcements: "The club is working. We're working really hard to operate in this transfer window. Two bodies in but we still need more."

• Nuno blamed a "lack of effort" from his squad after the 3-0 loss at Molineux but has explained that was the wrong choice of words: "No, not lack of effort, maybe I choose bad words. It was more that we were not playing like we should have done, the way we planned to do. The decisions we had to take in particular moments and the way we wanted to compete. The team has rules and we broke the rules. It is very bad for me to be there and see we are trying put crosses in to come to nothing. It was tough to take."

• On dropping points at a vital part of the season: "Really worried - I am saying to you we are worried. We're concerned but we have a game tomorrow to make things better. Everything has to be at our maximum. That's the good part of football - it always gives you a chance."

• On what he would tell West Ham supporters, Nuno said: "Our fans are very knowledgeable. They know exactly what is going on. They know the squad, the players, the team - they know the problems. We need them and they know that we need them, but the team has to give. Tomorrow at 8pm the team has to show [up] and the fans have to see that the team is ready to fight and compete."

• Nuno "trusts" his players to be better and he said he gains confidence from the way he and the players "speak to each other".

• On facing Nottingham Forest after getting sacked by them three games into the 2025-26 season, he said: "[They're] different. We know how much love and respect I have for Forest. They're a good team with talented players that we have to play against. They have an experienced manager in Sean Dyche. It's going to be tough."