Nuno told to Axe ‘Waste of Money Duo’ After Brentford Loss
Nuno Espirito Santo faces an early crisis at West Ham United after two of his defenders turned in woeful performances during the club’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Monday night. The Hammers, already struggling to win back the trust of a frustrated fanbase, looked bereft of ideas and organisation, leaving their new manager with serious questions to answer about his team selection moving forward.
The atmosphere at the London Stadium was subdued even before kickoff. With thousands of seats empty due to ongoing fan protests against the club’s ownership, Nuno had hoped his first home match in charge would serve as a reset — a moment to lift the gloom and kickstart a new chapter. Instead, what unfolded was a painful reminder of just how far West Ham have fallen.
From the opening whistle, Brentford looked the sharper, more confident side. The visitors dictated play, creating clear chances with ease against a fragile and passive West Ham defence. Igor Thiago punished the hosts just before half-time, capitalising on another defensive lapse, and nearly grabbed a second moments later before being denied by the offside flag. Despite Nuno making three substitutions at the break in an attempt to spark a reaction, the pattern of play barely changed. Brentford continued to dominate, hitting the woodwork and missing several gilt-edged chances before Mathias Jensen sealed the win in stoppage time.
But beyond the scoreline — which arguably flattered West Ham — it was the nature of the defeat that will concern Nuno most. His team were wide open defensively, with Brentford exploiting gaps at will. At the heart of those issues were centre-backs Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, whose lack of communication and composure proved costly throughout the 90 minutes.
Kilman, once seen as a reliable leader after his £40 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, endured a torrid night. He appeared hesitant under pressure, struggled to track runners, and was caught flat-footed in the build-up to Thiago’s opener. Meanwhile, Todibo — making his first appearance since the 5-1 humiliation against Chelsea in August — fared even worse. The £36 million French defender looked completely lost, repeatedly losing his marker and showing none of the authority expected from a player of his reputation.
Jamie Redknapp previously described Todibo’s defending in the Chelsea defeat as “scandalous,” and Monday’s display did little to change that perception. The pair, who earn a combined £180,000 per week, were meant to form West Ham’s long-term defensive backbone after joining at the start of the 2024/25 season. Instead, they looked like strangers, constantly misjudging positioning and exposing the team to counter-attacks.
Fans watching from the stands — and on social media — were quick to vent their anger. “Who was a worse purchase, Todibo or Kilman? Honestly, I’m struggling,” one supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “£80m on Todibo and Kilman will forever be the worst business possible.” Some fans even resorted to humor to express their frustration, with one post reading, “Kilman and Todibo really are the Chuckle Brothers — I’m half expecting Ant and Dec to pop out and tell us it’s a prank.”
Nuno himself didn’t escape criticism, with many questioning his decision to start the struggling duo over alternatives like Konstantinos Mavropanos. “Selection was a nightmare call from Nuno,” one angry fan posted. “I don’t care if Mavropanos has one leg — he has to start before Todibo.”
For Nuno Espirito Santo, who took the reins at a club mired in discontent and inconsistency, the challenge now is clear. He cannot afford to persist with underperforming players if he hopes to steady the ship. Both Kilman and Todibo may feature again before the season ends, but their performances against Brentford have shaken confidence in their ability to anchor the defence.
West Ham’s defensive frailty has become a recurring theme this season, and unless Nuno finds a quick solution to his backline dilemma, his tenure could unravel as swiftly as it began. With fan patience wearing thin and the Premier League table tightening, the Portuguese coach must decide whether to persist with his big-money defenders or make bold changes to restore stability and pride to the claret and blue.