Dean Ashton has warned Nuno Espírito Santo about his future at West Ham following the team’s dismal start to the season.

The Hammers led 2-0 against Burnley in their first league game, but were pegged back to 2-2 in the closing stages.

And Charlton Athletic won 2-1 away at the London Stadium last weekend, leaving the former Premier League club with just one point from a potential six.

West Ham are aiming for automatic promotion back to the top division at the first try, but they have already fallen behind their rivals after only two games.

The Irons are poised to be active in the final week of the transfer window, having already signed six new players.

The London company has until September 1 to conclude any outstanding business before the market closes for the remainder of the calendar year.

Nuno Espírito Santo warns West Ham

According to Ashton, Espírito Santo’s style of play at West Ham will need to adapt to a more possession-based approach to compete in the Championship.

The 42-year-old has urged his former team to recruit another midfielder and a center-back in the closing phases of the transfer window, but anticipates a difficult year unless a change in style is implemented.”I think West Ham are short on quality, that’s for sure,” Ashton told Talksport.

“Especially in terms of the midfield and at centre-back… they need strength at the back and certainly in midfield.”When I look at the clubs that are promoted from the Championship, I see that they are typically possession-based.

West Ham’s stats vs Charlton Athletic (from Fotmob.com)

Stat

Figure

Expected Goals (xG)

2.84

Shots (on Target)

25 (9)

Touches in the opposition area.

43

Big chances

4

Accurate passes (percentage

613 (92%)

Yellow cards.

2

Corners

7 “Nuno isn’t that manager.

“So, he’s either going to have to change the way he likes his teams to play and make that work, or I think it’s going to be a very difficult season.”The pressure will build rapidly from supporters who have demonstrated their devotion by purchasing a large number of season tickets, anticipating an exciting promotion drive.

“It was very disappointing again at the weekend.”

West Ham had 78% possession in the defeat to Charlton on Saturday and 54% in the 2-2 draw with Burnley.

Espírito Santo’s favoured style of play is around counter-attacking football. However, he achieved promotion with Wolves in 2018, demonstrating his ability to progress beyond this league.

This season, the Hammers will have intense competition for promotion, and their results must improve fast to prevent falling too far behind.

West Ham have made six new acquisitions after selling Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes early in the transfer window.

Arne Engels, Manor Solomon, Joel Veltman, and Leiber Lamadrid have all relocated to the London Stadium on permanent basis.

Meanwhile, Joel Piroe and Divine Mukasa have signed on loan from Leeds United and Manchester City, respectively.

West Ham return to play today evening, travelling to Southampton for the second round of the EFL Cup at 7.45pm.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Championship experience is invaluable.

Despite having primarily managed in the Premier League, Espírito Santo is familiar with the Championship.

The Portuguese coach will understand that this West Ham group requires a little more quality if they are to have a good chance of fighting for automatic promotion.

The Hammers are set to be busy in the last week of the transfer window, and it would be astonishing if one or two more signings were not made.

The 52-year-old will need to make some changes, but he should be able to rely on a strong squad to help West Ham break down tough defences at this level.