West Ham have an opportunity to put their Premier League woes behind them for a week when they face Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in Stratford this weekend.
And speaking in his latest pre-match press conference, Nuno Santo faced questions about the transfer window, returning players, the club's focus and the possibility of relegation - the answers to which you may read below...
Q: Let's start with some team news. How's Aaron Wan-Bissaka?
NES: Yeah, he was here today in the building. He did a light session. He was traveling. He's OK. A little bit sad that he went away, but happy to be back...
Q: Any other team news to update us on?
NES: No, just that we have to assess normal situations.
Q: In terms of a week like this week that that was a really massive game, against Forest - how hard was it on the players, considering your position?
NES: Yeah. It's tough. It's a tough situation that we are in, we are aware - but at the same time realising that we have 17 games to go. There's a lot of football to be played and what we have to do is focus now on ourselves, on our day-to-day [progress] and look for that win, that win that we need. Don't be obsessed about the gap. Try to avoid looking at the table every time. You get more anxious, so let's try to focus on ourselves and what we have to do - to compete in 17 games in the League. I believe it's possible.
Q: Is that the focus, almost so the players don't think about that gap?
NES: Now we have the FA Cup to focus on and then next week, we'll prepare for Tottenham. But the approach must be to focus on ourselves, what we have to do and believe there is a lot of football to be played. 17 games is a lot of games.
Q: Transfer wise, you said last week when we talked about Pablo and Castellanos that they were brave joining the club in the position it's in at the moment. Is it harder in the window to attract players when the club is where it is?
NES: No, what we have to do make sure is that the players that that join us come with a purpose, come to help like I think we saw in Taty and Pablo. Talented more than anything, really fighting and trying to help the team. This is the main objective. Besides the quality and the talent, the player has to be motivated and committed to joining us. we are working hard as a club to try and bring players [in].
Q: Is there almost a feeling when you speak to the people who are involved in transfer that it's stick or twist? Do you really go for it in January? Potentially relegation could be on the cards. I know you said there's a lot of games left, but it's a possibility. So what's the balance in terms of do we stick or do we really try and...
NES: No, we need to rebalance our squad. It's clear. We need to bring players in that that can make us stronger for the fight. That's the main objective we have as a club, to bring players that can help us because we are here to fight. It's not thinking about the future, it's not talking about anything, it's thinking about who can join us and help us?
Q: In in terms of those players, how much does character come into it? Do you need players who can deal with setbacks like against Forest?
NES: There's nobody that can react differently to a setback like that. We scored, we were delighted. It seems like because we were playing good and competing really well and got two goals, it's almost like we felt that is job done. Then VAR rules it out. It's sad, but in reacting unfortunately we conceded - but after that, we had chances again to get back in the game and unfortunately in the end it happened. You can speak about the reasons behind our loss, but there are things that we can't control. Unfortunately It's not because of referees that we are in this situation, but things are going against us in in many moments and it's tough to explain to our players why the game went away.
Q: In terms of players leaving, we've heard about Callum Wilson but are there any updates on him and who else could be leaving soon?
NES: I cannot say. What can I say is that eventually there are players that have to leave and we are being very direct and honest with them and looking for the best options. Like for example, George Earthy is joining Bristol [City again]. He needs to play, Earthy, he needs minutes for his development. So we are trying to find the best solutions for all our players.
Q: Is James Ward-Prowse somebody on that list? Because, you know, a really experienced player playing a lot of Premier League games and obviously he's not getting a look in. Is he someone you think that you'll be looking to move on?
NES: James' situation has been clear since some time ago, I think. He is not one of our options and it's for him to find the best solution for his future.
Q: The best solution for his future, would that be playing elsewhere?
NES: I believe soi but meanwhile he's here, he's one of us and we're trying to prepare all of them.
Q: I believe you're in the market for another goalkeeper. Is Mads Hermansen another with whom you've had a conversation and he could potentially be leaving?
NES: Yeah, but we have honest conversations with all the players when it's the right moment. We had a conversation with Mads, we still have to decide if he plays or not against QPR. But he's here working with us.
Q: That goal that was disallowed [against Forest]; how much of a big moment do you think that would have been for Summerville? It seems that everything's going right for him expect for maybe scoring in that game?
NES: It will be for his confidence, it will be important, but he's still looking for that goal. And it's not about only the goals, it's how he plays. He's a talented player that needs to exploit his actions better. We are trying. Of course, that goal mean a lot for him and for us.
Q: The FA Cup, is it A good distraction for you at the moment or is it kind of hard?
NES:No, it's a good chance to win a football match that we need, because everything is different when you win. You recover faster, you are happier, so it's now about now having a chance to win a football match against a tough team in a competition that we appreciate a lot.
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