West Ham United boss Nuno Espírito Santo has swung the axe on midfielder James Ward-Prowse, but one player has impressed him behind-the-scenes at Rush Green.
Nuno making key West Ham decisions in build up to Arsenal
The Hammers take on Premier League title contenders Arsenal this weekend, and Nuno could hardly ask for a tougher second game in charge.
West Ham have looked as soft as butter in all respects defensively, especially when it comes to set-pieces, and threatening from dead ball situations is something that Arsenal seriously specialise in.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Mikel Arteta’s side could have a field day if the Hammers don’t shore up in that regard and quickly, with Nuno looking to build upon his solid 1-1 draw at Everton on Monday.
“It’s a problem that we have to solve,” Nuno said about their set-piece weakness.
“We’ve been working on it, and I think we improved in the last game, but it’s definitely something we’re trying to address.
“Nowadays, set-pieces have a huge impact on the game. We have good headers of the ball, it’s just about adjusting the flow of the timing and defending.
We know Saturday will be a good test in this area, but we are working on it.”
Further up the field, Nuno has already decided that Ward-Prowse won’t be a part of his long-term plans – just under a year after Nottingham Forest cut his loan spell short with the 51-year-old still in charge – so he clearly doesn’t rate the midfielder that much at all.
Ward-Prowse was axed from the matchday squad for West Ham’s trip to Everton, and credible reports since then have claimed that the 30-year-old is expected to leave in January.
Fabrizio Romano has backed up the Englishman’s potential winter departure too, with journalist Dean Jones suggesting that Ward-Prowse could re-join Southampton as his exit looks nailed on.
However, while Ward-Prowse seems as if he’s being pushed out the door, Nuno has quite the opposite opinion on defender Max Kilman.
Nuno says Max Kilman has absolutely shone in West Ham training
The former Wolves boss worked with Kilman at Molineux for years, and Nuno says that the centre-back has impressed him at Rush Green so far with his work ethic in training.
“When you look back, you see how far he has come. It’s 200 [senior club] games already for Max, and I’m delighted for him,” Nuno said in his pre-Arsenal press conference.
“He’s an important member of our squad. He knows how we approach things, what sort of work ethic we want in training and how we face the competition. He’s been very helpful for us so far, and I’m really pleased for him.”
Nuno’s arrival could be exactly what Kilman needs to rediscover his very best form, as the pair enjoyed a very productive relationship at Wolves.
The 28-year-old seriously credited Nuno for his development when they worked in the Midlands together, telling the Birmingham Mail in 2020 that West Ham’s boss helped him understand the game a lot better.
“I was a big, strong boy but I had so much to work on,” Kilman said when explaining the impact Nuno had him.
“[Nuno improved] my game understanding and my physicality. When, I came in I had never played five at the back so I’ve had to adapt and understand my role as a defender. I’ve had to become stronger and sharper, and that’s what I lacked when I first came into Wolves.
“I had to know when to press, when to get tight to my man, when to cover, and understanding how to cover round my wing-back and work as a five.
“Nuno and the whole staff don’t just say, ‘It’s good enough’. There’s always room for improvement and they’re always trying to find ways to make us that little bit better.”
Interestingly, Kilman stood out as West Ham’s joint-best performer alongside Alphonse Areola against Everton (WhoScored), and supporters will be hoping that will spur on a string of convincing defensive displays.