West Ham Faces Fan Discontent Amid Poor Performance
West Ham United faced a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Brentford in their London derby, leaving many seats empty throughout the match and even more as the game concluded.
The remaining fans expressed their dissatisfaction by booing the team off the pitch after a performance that could have easily resulted in a heavier loss.
At London Stadium, tensions are high, with some supporters choosing to stay away as a form of protest against the club's management.
New West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, still seeking his first victory after three games, acknowledged the need for players to work hard to regain the fans' trust.
Following the match, he candidly assessed the team's performance, stating, "Not good enough. Poor." This was his first home game in charge after replacing Graham Potter, following two away matches.
"Brentford deserved their win; they were the better team," he added. "We are all concerned, and it's evident our fans share that concern. This anxiety translates to the players, and we have a problem. It's crucial for us to change this dynamic. The fans need to see something that excites them, so they can support us and energize the team. I completely understand their feelings and respect them. It's our responsibility to bring the fans back together."
Currently, West Ham sits at the bottom of the league table, with only four points from their first eight games. They will face Leeds in their next Premier League match on Friday.
Nuno remarked to BBC Sport, "This is a challenge for all of us. We must shift the momentum and bring our fans back to support us. We need a significant improvement in just four days."
How Bad Were West Ham?
West Ham has now lost five consecutive home games in the top flight, marking only the second time in their history this has occurred, the last being in April 1931. This also marks the first time the team has lost their opening four home matches of a league season.
Under Nuno's management, the Hammers have drawn once and lost twice, including a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. Against Brentford, they struggled significantly, managing only two shots on target out of 22 attempts.
Brentford, led by rookie manager Keith Andrews, had not won an away match in the league this season prior to this game.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher criticized West Ham's performance, stating, "West Ham were shocking and have been for a while. I felt for them at the start of the season, but with that squad, they were always going to struggle physically. Brentford completely bullied them."
Former West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil expressed his concerns, saying, "I was convinced West Ham would be alright, but after watching that, I have real worries. They appear lost, lacking confidence, and not unified. A significant change is necessary, and Nuno has a monumental task ahead of him."
Why Did Some West Ham Fans Stay Away?
Clusters of empty seats were visible at London Stadium, partly due to ongoing protests organized by the supporters' group Hammers United, which is calling for the resignation of chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
Sullivan and Brady have been with the club for 15 years and played key roles in the transition from the smaller Upton Park to the larger London Stadium, which has a capacity of over 62,000 and hosted athletics during the 2012 Olympics.
Many fans feel the club has lost its identity since the move, recalling the vibrant atmosphere of Upton Park, which is diminished by the stadium's design and the covered athletics track that hampers views from the upper tiers.
Prior to the recent loss to Crystal Palace, which resulted in Graham Potter's dismissal, approximately 3,000 fans protested outside the directors' entrance, demanding accountability from Sullivan and Brady. They voiced grievances over unfulfilled promises, lack of squad enhancements, outdated training facilities, and an unsatisfactory matchday experience.
In response, some fans have initiated a boycott, and the campaign against the club's leadership is expected to continue. A larger demonstration is planned for the home match against Burnley on Saturday, November 8, with organizers hoping to attract at least 9,000 participants.