Is Nuno the right man for West Ham?

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Having overseen the teams at Wolves and Nottingham Forest, Nuno has demonstrated a consistent ability to elevate a team’s performance beyond what was anticipated.

While his time at Tottenham was lackluster, the current circumstances at West Ham bear more resemblance to the situation he faced when he took over at Forest.

As he prepares for his debut match against Everton on Monday, Sport reflects on Nuno's previous season at Forest, examining his strategies to determine if he would be a beneficial choice for West Ham.

Pragmatism versus attacking style

Football club owners worldwide are increasingly favoring coaches who adopt a possession-oriented attacking play style.

Despite David Moyes leading West Ham to a Europa Conference League victory in 2023, his tactics were perceived to offer less promise compared to the offensive football practiced by other clubs, leading fans to frequently question his pragmatic approach.

Conversely, Moyes' predecessors, Manuel Pellegrini, along with successors Julen Lopetegui and Potter, struggled to establish a successful team through a more possession-focused strategy.

Throughout his career, Nuno has displayed principles that align more closely with Moyes, regarded as West Ham's most effective manager in the last ten years.

Teams managed by Nuno tend to retain less possession but counter-attack swiftly. Last season, Forest's average possession rate was the third lowest in the league at 41%.

By adopting a deeper defensive stance, his teams restrict opponents to low-quality opportunities and leave little space behind.

Hiring him appears to acknowledge that the recent shift in playing style did not align well with West Ham and the current team dynamics.

What is Nuno's approach to play?

At Wolves, Nuno was recognized for implementing a five-man defense. However, last season, Forest typically began their matches using a 4-2-3-1 formation.

When out of possession, Forest adopted a 4-2-4 structure while pressing forward. However, for considerable stretches of the match, they preferred to congest space further back, maintaining a low defensive line near their goal.

When leading, Nuno would introduce Brazilian defender Morato and revert to a five-man defense, highlighting his adaptability.

Notably, Forest did not lose any points when Morato was brought on in this manner, although this adjustment did compel Forest to defend deeper under increasing pressure during the late stages of matches.

Forest struggled defensively in the closing 15 minutes of games, conceding 12 goals during the last season.

Direct attacking plays are a key feature of Nuno’s tactics, with Forest advancing centrally by deploying the ball directly to striker Chris Wood.

His ability to hold the ball served as an excellent focal point for targeting, allowing attacking midfielders, especially Morgan Gibbs-White, to capitalize on the second balls.

Alternatively, Forest would quickly move the ball along the flanks, overwhelming the wide areas. They frequently neglected the central zone, avoiding risks associated with advancing the ball through the midfield.

Whether sending the ball directly to the striker or down the wings, the strategy remained constant—to move the ball upfield promptly and rapidly.

Last season, Forest played the most straightforward style in the league, demonstrating a progression speed of 2.04 meters per second as they moved the ball upfield.

How West Ham may arrange themselves

Given this context, Nuno's hiring seems to be a logical decision. His style of play, which focuses on low possession and counter-attacks, reduces West Ham's vulnerabilities and maximizes the strengths of their athletes.

West Ham has faced challenges in building play from the back when under pressure, and they have struggled to generate dangerous scoring opportunities through prolonged possessions.

Over the past few seasons, the Hammers have shone brightest when attacking during transitions, capitalizing on the abilities of their top performers, particularly Jarrod Bowen.

Nuno's Forest would launch fast breaks, utilizing the speed of their attacking players to exploit available space. This approach would benefit players like Crysencio Summerville and Lucas from West Ham.

If Nuno chooses to focus on strong defensive foundations at the outset, he might implement a five-defender setup. However, it would not be surprising to see him adopt his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

While he typically has a standard formation in mind, Nuno adjusts the roles of players within that formation based on their unique attributes.

For instance, utilizing the wingers, Nuno would instruct Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga to hug the touchlines.

In the match against Fulham last season, wingers Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez were instead encouraged to drift inside, suited to their particular strengths.

Nuno will aim to assemble a squad that leverages the capabilities of his top performers.

El Hadji Malick Diouf's exceptional talent as an offensive full-back this season is expected to be utilized, with Nuno ensuring greater defensive stability elsewhere on the field.

Players such as Niclas Fullkrug, Summerville, Soungoutou Magassa, Mateus Fernandes, Paqueta, and Max Kilman all fit better into Nuno's transition-oriented system.

When considering Nuno's Forest, it is essential to acknowledge the astute tactical adjustments he made last season, countering the misconception that he merely employs a defensive and countering strategy.

Forest secured a victory over Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season by using five midfield players: Danilo, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Ryan Yates, and Dominguez.

Nuno opted to substitute Elanga and Hudson-Odoi for more natural midfielders, enabling his team to control the center of the field and neutralize Brighton effectively.

These situational adjustments within his overall approach showcase Nuno's flexibility in recent times.

A new beginning

Aligning players based on their strengths and areas for improvement is crucial, with tactics largely influencing player performance. Often overlooked in tactical analysis is the aspect of human behavior.

Rumors of a rift between Potter and players like Fullkrug, Edson Alvarez, and Jean-Clair Todibo indicate a negative atmosphere within the club, whereas Nuno is still regarded positively by his former players, such as ex-Wolves defender Conor Coady.

He mentioned: "I believe West Ham has an extraordinary manager, and I think the fans will appreciate him.

"In my opinion, the way he presents himself, communicates, and develops players is impressive.

"The new perspective will be beneficial. Nuno is someone who maintains composure, neither overly enthusiastic nor excessively downcast.

"West Ham operates as a counter-attacking side and thrives during transitions. Under his guidance, the strategy was straightforward and predictable."

The new head coach of West Ham possesses a strategy that fits the team well, but his ability to connect with players could be equally vital in helping the Hammers improve their current predicament.