The absence of Konstantinos Mavropanos was always likely to hit West Ham United and Nuno Espirito Santo hard in both boxes.

Much of the pre-match talk, before the Hammers suffered a fourth home defeat of the Championship season against West Brom, was how Nuno would cope without the giant defender’s goalscoring presence. Well, he wouldn’t, as it transpired.

Time and again, Dinos Mavropanos has bailed his teammates out of trouble. The equaliser at Millwall, for instance. Crucial strikes in big moments against Bolton, Wolves and Lincoln.

But as the Hammers’ old set-piece issues returned with a vengeance on Saturday, the absence of Mavropanos in the defensive box was also keenly felt. The Baggies scored their third through Callum Styles; a deflected shot beating Mads Hermansen after the home side had made a mess of dealing with an initial corner kick.

West Ham United flop without Dinos Mavropanos against West Brom

West Ham struggled with West Brom’s set-pieces all game. Jimmy-Jay Morgan missed with a free header in the first half. He was not the only one who should’ve punished a passive home defence.

Though Max Kilman actually averages the most clearances per game [6.8 compared to Mavropanos’ 4.2], the former lacks the latter’s bravery and physicality in aerial duels and dead-ball situations. Neither he nor young Airidas Golambeckis impressed here, while Morato had arguably his worst game since joining on deadline day.

“Just not convinced by this defense at all,” one fan wrote on social media. “It was still shaky with Mavropanos playing, now it’s rough sailing.”

“If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be wishing Mavropanos was on the pitch, I would’ve cackled. But here we are,” says another.

Nuno Espirito Santo could be sacked if Hammers lose to Cardiff and Blackburn

Teenager Golambeckis made only his third West Ham start and found life tough against the speedy Morgan and the tricky Felix Horn Myhre. Kilman was good in some moments but typically slack in others; he and Morato gave the Baggies far too much room on the counter, especially in Myhre’s 20th minute opener.

That is likely to be the partnership Nuno goes with again away to in-form Cardiff and Blackburn Rovers in the final two matches before the international break. Mavropanos’ knee injury is not as bad as first feared, but it will almost certainly keep him out for at least another two matches.

“It’s Dinos’ knee,” Nuno said pre-match. We were concerned about the injury, but thankfully it’s not as serious as we thought. Let’s see. Dinos is a very important player for us.”

If West Ham 1-3 West Brom is a sign of things to come – Nuno badly missing Mavropanos’ goalscoring instincts at one end and his physicality at the other – then God help the Hammers.

Hammers News were also informed, pre-match, that Nuno could be sacked if West Ham lose all three matches before the international break. Well, that’s one down…