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West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo has accepted he made an 'unacceptable mistake' as the Irons crashed to their worst start to a season in 52 years with defeat to Leeds United. The Hammers lost 2-1 at Elland Road and have picked up just four points this season, with Nuno winlesssince replacing Graham Potter last month.

Goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon put the east London side to the sword before Mateus Fernandes scored a 90th-minute consolation. The 19th-placed team in the Premier League offered little hope for supporters in a third dismal loss on the bounce.

Nunowas happy to shoulder the blame for the outing in a downbeat assessment of his side's performance. "There are many problems in our club, unfortunately," he said.

"It is not up to us to hide ourselves behind the problems. Everyone has to be alive and to do much more and be in the right position.

"We were not dealing with our defensive situations and I felt like we needed a striker to hold the ball, so maybe that's not the greatest from me. These kind of mistakes are unacceptable in the Premier League."

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Star player Jarrod Bowen's take on the game was different to his manager's, however. The England international called for his team-mates to show more fight and believes the Irons are in trouble.

"A dressing room when you're second bottom of the league is low. The only way this will change is if we step up and show some fight," he said.

"We need more of that. It's easy to hide and be scared almost. It's easier said and harder to do sometimes. You have to face up to the reality of where we are and we're in trouble now.

"We've talked as a group, but it's down to the players as well. We speak to each other, but there's only so much. It's got to come from within. We haven't been great at home, but now is the time to roll your sleeves up."

And Nuno does want to see a change in attitude. The former Nottingham Forest boss added: "There is quality there, there is time, but nothing will happen if we don't change.

"We must change our attitude, we must change the way we approach things, we must commit ourselves better, prepare better, work harder. All the things - that is the reality. We don't expect things to change by themselves. Realising we have time can be a mistake if we don't change things around quickly."

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