'We are worried' - Shock admission from Leeds United's relegation rivals as manager speaks out
Two of Leeds United's key Premier League relegation rivals will go head-to-head this evening.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo admits his side are ‘really worried’ after a 3-0 defeat at Wolves saw them lose more ground on Leeds United in the fight to survive.
The Hammers fell to their worst defeat of the season on Saturday, handing rock-bottom Wolves their first Premier League win since April in comfortable fashion. That result kickstarted a good weekend for Leeds, who took a point at home to Manchester United while Nottingham Forest and Burnley also lost.
Leeds are now two places and eight points clear of West Ham with 18 games each to play, the soonest of which sees Espirito Santo’s side host fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a relegation six-pointer this evening. And after such a concerning defeat to Wolves, the Hammers boss made a startling admission.
"Really worried - I am saying to you we are worried,” he revealed. “We're concerned but we have a game tomorrow [against Forest] to make things better. Everything has to be at our maximum. That's the good part of football - it always gives you a chance.
“Our fans are very knowledgeable. They know exactly what is going on. They know the squad, the players, the team - they know the problems. We need them and they know that we need them, but the team has to give. Tomorrow at 8pm the team has to show [up] and the fans have to see that the team is ready to fight and compete.”
The very real threat of relegation has pushed West Ham chiefs to spend in January, already splashing a combined £45million on forward pair Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos, from Gil Vicente and Lazio respectively. The Hammers have also recently been linked to Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento.
Nuno expects West Ham to build on £45m transfer spend
That is unlikely to be the end of their business either, with reinforcements also needed in central midfield and defence. Among their many reported targets is former Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell, who has impressed since leaving West Yorkshire for French outfit FC Toulouse.
“Now we are in the moment of re-balance,,” Espirito Santo added of his side’s January activity. “Two players have come in [Pablo and Castellanos] who I can see are good options. Two players who can help - and that's the word - we need help.
“We need help from those coming but also we are ones who have to improve and make the situation better. The club is working. We're working really hard to operate in this transfer window. Two bodies in but we still need more."
Leeds will be expecting all of their relegation rivals to strengthen in January as desperation to survive intensifies, with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest also eyeing reinforcements. The YEP reported last month that Elland Road chiefs are expected to explore the loan market this month with attacking quality still desired.
The Whites have also been linked to Union Berlin defender Danilho Doekhi, who is into the final six months of his contract in Germany. Farke has four centre-backs to call on when everyone is fit but his switch to a back three plus Joe Rodon’s ankle injury could encourage the club to add more depth.