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West Ham United threw away a two-goal lead at Turf Moor on Sunday to start their Championship season off with a 2-2 draw against Burnley. Goals from Max Kilman and Manor Solomon either side of half-time looked to have gotten Nuno Espirito Santo off to the best possible start in his mission to get the Hammers promoted. But a Zian Flemming brace in the final seven minutes of the game ensured the game ended as a stalemate. On reflection, the result was a fair one given Burnley's dominance in the second half. The clarets had 11 shots, five big chances and four corners in the second half alone. But the way in which West Ham failed to protect their two-goal advantage in the final stages underlined something of a familiar trend under Nuno's stewardship in east London. West Ham must improve mentality Conceding late goals is nothing new for Nuno's West Ham. In fact, it cost the club considerably last season and was a big reason behind the season ending in relegation. Of Nuno's 33 Premier League games in charge last season, West Ham conceded 13 goals after the 80th minute of matches. That's 25% of the 52 goals West Ham conceded after Nuno replaced Graham Potter. Those goals cost the Hammers 10 points. Adding the two goals scored by Burnley on Sunday and that's 12 league points dropped by 15 goals conceded in the final 10 minutes of games. That's almost 28% of league goals conceded by West Ham under Nuno coming after the 80th minute, across the Premier League and the Championship. On the flip side, West Ham have only scored eight goals in the same period of matches under Nuno, winning five points in the process. | West Ham in the final 10 minutes under Nuno (PL & Champ) | | | Goals conceded after 80th minute | 15 | | Points lost due to goals conceded after 80th minute | 12 | So it's clear the Hammers have a serious mentality problem in the latter stages of games. That needs to change immediately if they're to mount a serious challenge for promotion back to the Premier League. Nuno's decisions are a big factor Many fans are pointing the finger at Nuno's decision-making in the final stages of games. On several occasions, the Portuguese manager has sought to close out positive results by going ultra defensive too early with his substitutes. That has ultimately handed opposition teams more momentum in their search for equalisers and winners. Fans have accused Nuno of being too negative in his approach to holding on to leads, opting to concede possession instead of trying to control the direction of play with more positive changes. It has cost the Hammers dearly on too many occasions and will have played a major role in the club's relegation last term. Indeed, Nuno has a very thin squad to work with right now. HIs lack of options on the bench against Burnley was telling. He had five inexperienced academy players, two full-backs and a midfielder to call upon. Both full-backs - El Hadji Malick Diouf and Joel Veltman - were introduced in the final few minutes, while James Ward-Prowse replaced Pablo at half-time. Perhaps with more attacking options available to him, Nuno may have been able to make more positive changes in an attempt to change the balance of play while Burnley pushed to get back into the game. That's something he and Nils Koppen will need to address in the final two weeks of the transfer window. A striker and a winger will be at the top of the priority list, while another centre-back is also going to be important. A healthy mix of stronger options from the bench and a better mentality should help stop West Ham throwing games away in the latter stages of games. And it needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Have your say! What's to blame for West Ham's struggles late in games under Nuno? How can Nuno fix it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.