Nuno Espirito Santo has conceded it will be ‘extremely difficult’ for West Ham to survive after a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle in which he lamented his team’s individual errors.
The Hammers now know that rivals Tottenham need just a point to all but confirm their relegation, and that could come as soon as Tuesday night at Chelsea.
Nuno got his tactics and selection wrong at St James’ Park and abandoned a 3-4-2-1 system after just 25 minutes, by which point West Ham were 2-0 down. The Portuguese now appears all but resigned to the drop.
‘Today was a missed opportunity and we have to realise that it’s extremely difficult now (to stay up),’ he said. ‘We have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday. We cannot control what’s happening in other stadiums. What we did today was not enough for us in the fight that we have.’
Of the mistakes that cost them goals, Nuno added: ‘It’s disappointing, but realising that it’s a game of mistakes, we take responsibility. It hurts because it’s like giving away something that we must avoid. I think our opponents must work much harder to achieve a goal. It’s too easy, and it makes our life so difficult.
Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted it will be ‘extremely difficult’ for West Ham to survive
The Hammers know that if Spurs secure a point at Chelsea they will be relegated
‘It was a bad performance and a bad day for us. Maybe we didn’t prepare the players well enough. We have to look and take responsibility for it. It’s going to be a tough week ahead. After today, it’s going to be a very tough week. We owe the fans respect, dignity. This is what we’re going to try to do this week better, so we can show a better performance on Sunday (at home to Leeds).’
West Ham fans sang ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ on full-time, and Nuno reflected: ‘That hurts a lot. This is our job, this is our life, but the fans are right and today they showed their anger and frustration and they have reasons to. It hurts, it hurts the boys, it hurts us, it hurts the club.
‘That’s why this week we should finish the season with dignity and respect for the fans. We should do better, so we can show at the London Stadium to our fans a different performance and attitude. Anything is possible. Even though it’s difficult, we’re still alive. Let’s see. There’s some hope. But more than anything, it is respect. Let’s prepare ourselves and show a better performance. This is what our fans deserve.’
Will Osula scored twice for Newcastle and he could start next season as the team’s No.9. Eddie Howe said: ‘I don’t think he could have done any more (since coming into the side). When you look at what he’s done, the goal return that he’s given us (five in six), but his work ethic and his attitude too.
‘Being a number nine for Newcastle is incredibly difficult and there’s a lot of responsibility on that position. Newcastle have had some iconic number nines over the years, so I think it’s a great thing for a player to take on. But the responsibility is the big thing and he needs to continue to develop his game over a longer period of time, but certainly he’s put himself in pole position to do it.’
