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Nuno Espirito Santo has improved West Ham in many areas, but he has not found a solution to their biggest problem.
The Hammers conceded another goal from a set piece against Aston Villa, as John McGinn was left unmarked outside the box.
McGinn’s left-footed strike curled into the top left corner of Mads Hermansen’s goal, giving Unai Emery’s side a lead to defend.
With seven games to go, Nuno must find a solution over the international break, or it could seal their relegation.
Who is to blame for West Ham’s SHOCKING set piece record?
17 goals conceded now 🤦♂️
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images Nuno Espirito Santo must take blame as West Ham concede from another set-piece
According to WhoScored, West Ham had already conceded the joint-most goals from set pieces in the Premier League (16).
The Hammers have now taken the outright lead over Liverpool and Bournemouth, as it happened for the 17th time against Villa.
For a team and manager that pride themselves on being defensively solid, this record could hardly be more concerning.
Nuno even admitted he was desperate to improve in December, but nothing has changed during his tenure.
“We are trying, we are trying [to improve our defensive and attacking set-pieces],” he told whufc.com. “First of all is [for us] to realise that it was a problem that we are slowly trying to fix.
The worst in the Premier League 😡 Of all of the issues set to send us down, where does this one rank?!
Credit: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
“We had conceded many goals from set-pieces before. Now I think we are getting stronger and stronger.”
Nuno must now take the blame for West Ham’s lack of improvement in this area, which he had promised to work on.
Unfortunately, if the Hammers do not survive relegation, abysmal defending from set pieces will be a key reason.
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