West Ham are all but relegated following their 3–1 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.

The result means that relegation rivals Spurs must lose their final two games against Chelsea and Everton for the Irons to stand any chance of maintaining their top-flight status. Additionally, the Hammers must beat Leeds on the final day.

I don’t know why, but I actually thought we could do it. I was hopeful; perhaps I was naïve.

For the first time in fifteen years, I’m going to see my side go down. Now that it is basically confirmed, I can say with confidence … we deserve this.

The board, the owners, the players, and the managers – none of it has been good enough for quite a long time. The writing was on the wall; we just didn’t want to believe it. But there is one thing that really hurts me after that result: I have been forced to reconsider my stance on Nuno Espírito Santo.

Just recently, I wrote an article admitting that we must keep Nuno next season, even if we are playing Championship football. Despite our league position, he has brought an identity and a desire to this football team not seen since the David Moyes days.

But something about his decisions today really doesn’t sit right with me. The negative formation set us up for failure, as did the decision to start Callum Wilson over Taty Castellanos – who was the only player worth cheering on today once he came on after 25 minutes.

Additionally, Nuno’s substitutions prior to the Toon’s third goal were so bizarre that they destabilised a side that had just regained its structure.

The opinion I have held for the longest time is that if we go down, Nuno isn’t really to blame. He was appointed by despicable David Sullivan and club-killing Karren Brady. He inherited a squad crippled by gormless Graham Potter and was working with players who had no confidence or desire.

He brought that passion and hunger back. But today, our fate has essentially been sealed. And for today, he is to blame.

This was the make-or-break game for Nuno’s Irons. A chance to put the pressure on Spurs. Even if we were to go down, we had the chance to go down fighting, knowing we did all we could.

But we didn’t, and for that, I do blame Nuno. So much so that I don’t know how I feel about him anymore. He looks and sounds defeated, but today, he only has himself to blame.