Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson doesn’t believe West Ham’s current squad suits new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 51-year-old replaced Graham Potter at the weekend, and reacting to the news, former Arsenal player Merson said he doesn’t think the Hammers can sit deep and play on the counter-attack due to the club’s poor defensive record:

“I don’t get the Nuno one. I still like Nuno, I think he did a good job at Forest, but if you saw the way he played there, I can’t see how he can do it at West Ham. The West Ham defenders have been caught for so many goals this season, whereas the defenders at Forest last season were excellent.”

“They had forwards who played on the counterattack with pure pace. I just don’t see how it fits. I like Nuno, but I don’t see the fit.”

Nuno will get West Ham organised

The Irons have looked in disarray at the start of this campaign, having conceded 13 goals in 5 Premier League fixtures. The defence has been all over the place.

However, Nuno has shown at Forest how he can transform an ordinary group of players and make them hard to beat. You don’t have to be the best centre-half in the world if you are tasked with just sitting deep and defending your own penalty box.

In terms of pace up front, Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville are not exactly slouches in the speed department, while Nuno does like having a focal point up front. Whether Niclas Fullkrug can be his Chris Wood, though, it is up for debate, considering the German’s poor fitness record.

It’s a tricky first game for the new manager

Nuno will be in charge when West Ham face Everton on Monday evening, and not many expect the away side to get a result at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Even so, supporters will be hoping that a “new manager bounce” can help get them a draw, at the very least.

Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here