Nuno Espirito Santo admits West Ham have a ‘tough week ahead’ after capitulating to a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies are mid-table in the Premier League and have little to play for – but found themselves 2-0 up against the Hammers after just 19 minutes, despite the Irons fighting for survival in a relegation scrap with London rivals Tottenham.
The travelling fans who made the long journey to the North East made their feelings clear at full-time, singing ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ to players – and beleaguered Hammers boss Espirito Santo admits they were right to feel aggrieved.
Tottenham take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night knowing a win over the beaten FA Cup finalists will secure their top-flight survival and send West Ham down to the second tier of English football, the Championship.
The hurt locker
Espirito Santo told Sky Sports: “It hurts a lot, of course. This is our job, this is our life, but the fans are right and today they show their anger and frustration and they have reasons to.
“It hurts, it hurts the boys, it hurts us, it hurts the club. That’s why this week we should finish the season with dignity and respect for the fans.
“We should do better so we can show at the London Stadium to our fans a different performance and attitude in terms of the game.
“Anything is possible. Let’s wait for Tuesday. Even though it’s difficult, we’re still alive. Let’s see. There’s some hope. But more than anything is respect.
“Let’s prepare ourselves and show a better performance. This is what our fans deserve.”
Bad performance
He added: “Bad performance and a bad day for us. It’s going to be a tough week ahead. After today, it’s going to be a very tough week.”
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane also slammed the performance of the West Ham players, saying they simply didn’t show any stomach for the fight.
Gifted the game
The former Manchester United hardman told Sky Sports: “I bet Newcastle couldn’t believe their luck.
“This is a Newcastle team who haven’t been brilliant recently and you’re gifting them the game.
“They had a go in the end – but it’s very easy to have a go when you’re 3-0 down. The game is done.
“It’s about the way they started the game. That wasn’t a team fighting for their lives.
“Obviously they’re lacking confidence. It’s as if they’ve not recovered from last weekend [against Arsenal]. The decision went against them last week, almost feeling sorry for themselves.
“Be compact, be hard to beat, stay in the game. They’ve done the opposite of that.
“They’ve gifted goals and the table doesn’t lie. Not good enough. The decision-making – that is schoolboy stuff.”
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Geoffrey H. Latayan 
SportJustSport writers