West Ham vs Brentford: Nuno Espirito Santo calls for support as fans fear boycotting Premier League clash | Football news
Nuno Espirito Santo says it is his “wish” that West Ham fans will fill London Stadium on Monday, as fans boycott the Brentford match.
This match will be Nuno’s first home match in charge of West Ham since replacing Graham Potter as head coach.
However, his chances of building on the first two performances of his reign, which saw West Ham draw at Everton and lose at Arsenal to move 19th in the Premier League, have been affected by the potential for empty seats in the stands.
There is dissatisfaction among West Ham fans with the way the club is run.
“I wish they were all here, I wish,” Nuno said. “I hope all our fans can join us and help us against Brentford because it’s going to be very tough.
“Like I said, it’s an honest reflection. It’s up to us now to give back to the fans so they can reach out and support us.”
Monday October 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Kick-off at 8:00 p.m.
When asked what he thought about the situation, Nuno said he was trying to stay focused on Brentford.
“As a group and a team, we don’t know,” he said. “We try to ignore it, focus on the task, perform well and compete well. Plus, the fans can be there. That’s what we focus on.”
He added: “For me it’s very difficult to analyze what happened before. What I do is try to improve, realizing that the home factor is really important.
“As I told you before, it is now up to us to get closer to the supporters, to make them supporters and to help us so that we can change everything and become a real fortress.”
West Ham fans group Hammers United have written an open letter to Nuno, insisting the team retains its full support.
West Ham fans have already demonstrated outside the London Stadium this season
However, they explained: “The decision to boycott was not taken lightly, but we believe that given the severity of the damage that will continue to be inflicted on our club throughout this period, [vice-chair Karen] Brady and [chairman David] “Sullivan remains in place, it is a necessary and justifiable step that must be taken.”
Andrews: Bees aim to capitalize on Hammers troubles
Brentford boss Keith Andrews says he is aware of the potential atmosphere he and his players could find themselves in on Monday – and that the Bees will look to take advantage of it as they seek their first away points of the season.
Asked if a fast start could help Brentford capitalize on the atmosphere in east London, he said: “Yes, that’s certainly the hope.
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Paul Merson tells Soccer Saturday he doesn’t see how Nuno would fit in as West Ham’s new head coach
“We will approach the game in a way that we feel we can get a result.
“We approach every game clearly looking to win. You have to understand the environment you go into, the differences, the fan element, the individual ability, obviously the tactical approach of the opposition.
“All these things are part of your game plan, it’s not just a tactical element.
“You have to understand all the angles of it and I think we will. We presented it to the players this morning and we will develop it over the next few days before the game.”
