Dean Ashton has spotted an issue already brewing at West Ham under Nuno Espirito Santo just two weeks into the job and understands why.
The former Hammers striker says one player already looks angry with the new boss.
And it is an interesting observation given speculation that has abounded since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival at West Ham.
The Hammers’ Portuguese head coach would have been well aware the West Ham job was not going to be a cakewalk.
The club has been on the decline for the best part of two years, winning just 17 of the last 64 Premier League matches.
Nuno instantly identifies West Ham’s biggest weakness
Many feel Nuno is finally the man to start turning the sinking ship around, though, after dismal spells under Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Both of West Ham’s performances in the draw at Everton, which they could have won, and the defeat at Arsenal have been encouraging.
Hammers fans have loved what they have seen from the new head coach so far, on and off the pitch.
Nuno’s passion and approach hasn’t only impressed supporters, though.
A host of West Ham stars have raved about Nuno and predicted the team will climb the table under the ex Forest boss.
Alphonse Areola was the latest player to make it clear Nuno is an upgrade on Potter for West Ham in the wake of the defeat to Arsenal.
But not everyone will be swept up in the positive new manager vibes.
James Ward-Prowse was the first big victim of Nuno’s ruthless approach, being dropped from the squad entirely for his first two games.
Jean-Clair Todibo was also snubbed with both players now looking almost certain to leave in January.
But one former Hammer thinks another star is far from happy too.
Dean Ashton noticed one West Ham player is already angry with Nuno just two weeks in.
Ashton noticed one West Ham player is already angry with Nuno
If transfer speculation is anything to go by, it hasn’t taken Nuno long to realise signing a striker is his top priority for the January transfer window.
Niclas Fullkrug has started both of Nuno’s games so far and has been woeful.
West Ham have been linked with a host of forwards including Man United outcast Joshua Zirkzee, Chris Wood, Gabriel Jesus, Franculino Dju and Real Madrid’s Endrick.
Zirkzee has given Nuno a boost with his verdict on joining West Ham.
But the new manager’s striker plans sound particularly ominous for Callum Wilson.
It was somewhat telling that Nuno left Wilson on the bench in both games at Everton and Arsenal.
At the Emirates, the Hammers boss turned to youngster Callum Marshall instead of the experienced former England striker.
And Ashton says he spotted Wilson looking ‘pretty annoyed’ during the warm-down after West Ham’s defeat at the Emirates.
But the former Hammers fan favourite actually thinks the player had every right, calling the new manager’s decision ‘odd’.
Ashton says Nuno’s Wilson treatment ‘odd’
“Callum Wilson didn’t come on, which was really odd,” Ashton said on talkSPORT’s Premier League All Access podcast.
“He brought on Callum Marshall, the young lad who, I think, touched the ball twice.
“And Callum Wilson was fit.
“I saw him doing the running afterwards with the rest of the players and he looked pretty annoyed. And I just didn’t understand that. What’s gone on there?”
Some have speculated that Wilson’s contract might be having a bearing on his situation under the new head coach.
Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham would be signing Wilson on a free transfer over the summer.
It was also revealed Wilson’s contract would be a seriously low base fee – rumoured to be as low as £6-10k per-week – but heavily appearance and goal incentivised.
Should Wilson be named in the squad he receives a larger sum, a full Premier League level wage packet if he gets on and more if he scores.
Given Nuno has proved he is very much his own man, though, it is much more likely he simply doesn’t fancy Wilson in his setup – or wanted to try Fullkrug and Marshall first.
