Nuno Espirito Santo is not shying away from the ‘big problem’ facing West Ham United ahead of Saturday’s trip to Premier League neighbours Arsenal. But at least he has Max Kilman on hand to help.
While the narrative surrounding the £40 million centre-back is that his time at the London Stadium has been highly underwhelming, things could be about to take a dramatic change for the better.
Kilman credits Nuno with his emergence at Wolves, insisting that the man now in the West Ham United dugout taught him so much with regards to his positional sense and how to use his body to throw off opposition forwards.
Given that Max Kilman’s development has stalled pretty dramatically since he left the Black Country for the capital city, Nuno Espirito Santo’s appointment in place of Graham Potter would have been welcomed with open arms by the Hammers number three.
And Nuno knows, ahead of this weekend’s clash with an Arsenal side boasting a formidable track record from set-pieces, his side cannot afford another lapse in concentration.
Kilman, he says, will play a big part in solving the ‘big problem’ facing his new employers.
Nuno Espirito Santo hopes to fix West Ham United’s ‘big problem’ with Max Kilman’s help
Michael Keane’s opener during Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton was the eighth goal West Ham have conceded from set-piece situation in six Premier League matches.
A ‘poor’ Konstantinos Mavropanos copped most of the blame, leaving Keane free at the front post after the visitors cleared an initial corner, but Kilman has not covered himself in glory either at times.
Wayne Rooney and Tony Gale both questioned Kilman after he was outjumped by Marc Guehi during the 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace in Graham Potter’s final stand.
“That is a big problem that we have to solve,” Nuno admits, albeit while insisting that some progress has been made already. “We’ve been working. I think we improved in the last game, [although there is] still a problem with the second phase.
“But [sorting out set-pieces is] something we are really concerned with. We have to solve it.
“Nowadays, set-pieces have a huge impact on the game. We have to become more aggressive because we have good leaders, good headers. Defending, we have to address it.”
A landmark afternoon for Kilman away at Arsenal
Nuno bemoaned a lack of aggression at Everton during his first match in charge, even if he feels that West Ham dealt with the Toffees’ physicality pretty well after Keane’s 18th minute effort.
While Arsenal could be without Gabriel Magalhaes at the Emirates – the Brazilian is arguably the biggest set-piece threat in the division right now and scored the winner at Newcastle last time out – Nuno knows that a Gunners side who have scored seven goals from dead-ball situations this term already will provide a massive challenge.
“We are going to face a tough opponent, so a really good test for us,” the 51-year-old adds, speaking ahead of what could be Kilman’s 200th senior club game. “No pressure!
“You look back and see how many years have passed [since I worked with Kilman at Wolves]. 200 games already! Delighted for him.
“I think he is an important member of the squad. He can help in terms of relationship with the squad and how we approach things, our work-ethic in the training sessions, how we face the competition, how serious we are.
“Max has been very helpful. Delighted for him. [200 games] is crazy.”
Nuno reflects on West Ham’s outstanding recent Emirates record
While Arsenal have scored six and five goals against the Hammers in two of their last three league meetings, Nuno’s new employers are actually heading the to Emirates looking to win there for a third season in succession.
“[It will be] totally different, now. New games, new things will happen,” he reflects when asked about that outstanding recent record away to the Gunners. “[But] it’s a good record to have, to go to Arsenal and do these results.
“That gives us confidence, but we know we are going to face a tough opponent. A good test for us. Let’s test ourselves. It’s good.”
