Lucy’s Last Word: Why West Ham fans can’t shake the Nuno skepticism

There’s a new name at the helm, which should be a time of promise and optimism. So why does it feel a bit dark and gloomy? Because we have the same board, that’s why.

Potter’s sacking and Nuno’s appointment happened in a flash. The reports of Potter taking training on Saturday morning and then Nuno being paraded with a shirt a few hours later – it just feels wrong, but not surprising. That’s why we go into this new era with a scepticism that we want to shake off. But there’s nothing to stop this happening again in a few months.

The Squad Question: Can Players Step Up?

The burning question now is do we have a squad that can be responsive and is willing to up their game? If that can happen, I believe there are many managers that can take charge at this club. We have some really good players, we have had for a few years.

Jarrod Bowen has continued to show his class… He does all his talking on the pitch and is an example to any young players in the squad. We’re starting to show signs that the team can come together. The irony is that it all looked quite good against Nuno’s Forest. We drew at Everton and lost to Arsenal – I don’t think there are any surprises there.

Crucial Fixtures: Turning Momentum into Points

We have a couple of evening games now to inject further energy into the players. Brentford at home is winnable and three points there gives quite a nice swing at the bottom of the table if other results go our way.

Leeds away on a Friday night is less straightforward. Under the lights, it’s a raucous stadium and the crowd will play a huge part for both teams that night. But again, a point or three against those around us in the table is a nice advantage. And then the momentum can carry us into November.

Nuno’s Challenge: Earning Fan Trust

Nuno has some way to go to impress the fans. I apologise on behalf of the fans for that. It’s not personal, it’s just any manager has a tough job here. Turning results around is a long journey and we need to see team-spirit, hard work and points back at this club.