West Ham make clear Nuno Espirito Santo demand after 'surprise' sack verdict

West Ham have told Nuno Espirito Santo they expect to finish in the automatic promotion places come the end of the season.

The Hammers are eyeing promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after last season's disappointment, and a playoff place may not be good enough.

As a result, should they look likely to fall short of that goal towards the business end of the season, they could be forced into a decision about the manager's future.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nuno is under intense pressure to deliver results and every dropped point is leading to new concerns.

While the Hammers have no immediate concerns and are happy with the boss' work after he was handed the September Manager of the Month award, long-term concerns are lingering.

Supporters have also begun to express their frustrations in the wake of their 1-1 draw against QPR, and the club's expectations must be met or they will be forced into a decision.

Could Nuno Espirito Santo be sacked by West Ham?

Football Insider revealed in May that Nuno was set to stay at West Ham despite their relegation to the Championship with the aim of winning promotion back to the top flight.

The club maintain their stance that he is the right man to lead them to promotion, while they currently sit third in the table with just one defeat from their first nine games.

However, as the season drags on, their performances may have to become more consistent with pressure on Nuno to lead them to automatic promotion.

"It is a bit of a surprise that we're talking about Nuno's future given their strong start to the season," Brown told Football Insider.

"But it's clear there will be some consideration there because he is under a lot of pressure to earn West Ham promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"They've been clear with him before the season started that they are demanding a top two finish, they want automatic promotion and don't want to risk the playoffs.

"If we're getting closer towards the end of the season and results start to drop off or it looks like they might not make it, then they might be forced to make a decision.

"That's not going to happen for a while yet, though, unless something drastic changes because they're going well and have only lost one game so far.

"But as I say, they have high expectations for this season and if at any stage it looks like they're not going to be met, then a decision might have to be made about Nuno's position."

Why is Nuno under pressure at West Ham?

Despite West Ham's plans to stick by Nuno as the man to lead them back into the Premier League, there is an underlying feeling that things are not entirely comfortable in East London.

Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against QPR last time out, some fans have once again expressed their grivances with the style of play under the manager.

Brown warned Football Insider on 12 October that Nuno's position at West Ham is unstable, with pressure piled on after every result that doesn't go the Hammers' way.

Regardless of the largely positive results under his guidance this season, there is a feeling that the fans are unlikely to accept anything less than consistent victories.

As a result, it could make life difficult for Nuno, who will always face backlash when his side fail to take all three games from a league fixture this season.