Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is now reportedly ready to make his first move as West Ham United manager, signing Bristol City set-piece specialist Scott Twine.
The Hammers could certainly make it through a busy January transfer window. Although their results have improved recently, their problems were once again exposed when they drew 2-2 against Bournemouth after leading 2-0.
After watching his team relinquish a 2-0 lead thanks to Callum Wilson’s goal, Nuno told reporters: “It’s a very difficult place to come here. It was us in the first half. We made good use of the fast balls and second balls, managed the tempo of the game, were able to control Bournemouth and achieved a good lead.”
“In the second half, Bournemouth did exactly what we did[in the first half]. They controlled the game well, we didn’t get out, they drove us to the ropes and they got five players involved in the last line.
“The players were organized, but in tough situations they missed passes to escape pressure and were trying to really hurt them in space. But the good thing is I think the team was resilient, organized, compact and really committed.”
After the dramatic draw, West Ham at least escaped the drop zone, albeit on goal difference. With Liverpool’s visit next, they will be looking to sum up the champions’ recent misery and lift themselves out of the relegation zone in the process.
It goes without saying that the January transfer window would have been a lot easier if West Ham had approached it without a bottom three player in mind. It would be a great opportunity for Nuno to welcome first-choice reinforcements and potentially take the Hammers even further up the ladder.
According to reports, the former Nottingham Forest manager already has certain reinforcements in mind in this regard.
West Ham and Nuno ready for move for Scott Twine
According to Sports Boom, Nuno is now ready for West Ham to begin a move to sign Twine from Bristol City in the January transfer window. The set-piece specialist will be an immediate addition to James Ward-Prowse, who was frozen out by Nuno, but will cost West Ham just £8m.
League statistics 25/26 | scott twine | Lucas Paqueta |
|---|---|---|
minutes | 1,244 | 958 |
the goal | 6 | 3 |
progressive path | 41 | 71 |
ball collection | 52 | 53 |
Despite playing in a league below the Premier League, Twine has shown plenty of promise this season compared to Lucas Paqueta. Based on these figures, £8 million could quickly become a bargain for the London club.
However, it remains to be seen whether Bristol City will allow one of their key players to leave so easily. Robins coach Gerhard Struber recently praised the midfielder, telling reporters: “Scott has great technical ability with those monster legs.
Forget Guilherme: Nuno could work with West Ham’s academy star to repair Somerville’s blowout
Nuno may already have the perfect solution to West Ham’s Somerville problem.
“It helped us score in that way, but I like his energy right now. His work ethic, giving it his all on the field. You don’t often see players at this level work hard on the ball, but that was the key. We had players with a high skill level involved in the defensive pressing moments.”
