West Ham United

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed that Konstantinos Mavropanos is out with injury. The defender will have a scan to "see the real injury that he has", but the Forest boss was unable give a timeframe for his return.

• He feels West Ham "still have problems" and were "not good enough" against Brentford: "Concern is that the improvement must come from the players individually. [It is the] responsibility of the players to win their own games, the duels. Then, for sure, as a team we are going to improve."

• Nuno added: "It is up to us to connect the fans. It is up to us that the fans go to the stadium and see something they enjoy. It is on our side."

• On whether he can sense anxieties in the players at home: "I felt it [anxiety] on the players. They were rushing their decisions. I see them work every day. We have quality and talent to make five-yard passes, but they were not happening. It is up to us to tell the players to play their game, try to ignore [outside noise] and focus on what is happening on the pitch."

• When asked whether the squad needs help in the January transfer window, Nuno said: "It is us who is going to solve our problems. Us who is in the building, not us who is outside. We must solve our own problems."

• On areas to improve: "We have to improve our players. We need to improve their fitness, tactical awareness - everything. We concede a lot of set-pieces - too many - but we defend them pretty well. We are improving on that but we need to improve on not conceding. Some of them are easy situations we can solve."

• He added that it is not just about the defence and they need the "freedom to attack" also, while focusing on forward Lucas Paqueta: "Maybe it's the other way around. We have to improve Lucas - to get the best out of him. He can do a lot of things. We have the pieces to get the best out of him. We have speed in front. Now let's find solutions inside the team so that Lucas can deliver hs best."

Follow all of Wednesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

West Ham are targeting at least three players - a striker, a midfielder and a defender - in January as they seek to turn their fortunes around. (Sky Sports), external

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James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Monday night at London Stadium marked a pretty dark day in West Ham's modern history.

Hammers fans, disgruntled by David Sullivan and Karren Brady's running of the club, staged a boycott of Nuno Espirito Santo's first home game in charge against Brentford. A series of broken promises, poor recruitment and the overall mismanagement of a big London club rightly has them demanding a change at board level.

The move to London Stadium from Upton Park is at the very top of the list of things fans are angry about. Supporters were not consulted about the move and were then promised "a world-class stadium for a world-class team".

Nine and a half years later, West Ham are 19th in the Premier League and there is absolutely nothing about the club or the stadium that can be described as "world class".

The arena is not what was promised and it shows, with the lower tier resting on scaffolding while fans struggle to grow any kind of affection for a home which, three seasons in Europe and Conference League title aside, has mostly hosted relegation-threatened seasons.

As a result, fans were well within their rights to voice their anger at the direction in which the club is heading by simply not turning up on Monday. Early estimates suggest London Stadium was about 60% full, despite an air of optimism surrounding Nuno's start to his tenure.

Fans still spoke with their feet regardless of their hopes of seeing a first home win since February.

A 2-0 loss, a flat atmosphere and boos at the full-time whistle only compounded the club's woes as it desperately tried to flog cheap tickets and fill the lower tiers (to avoid so many empty seats being on display in front of Sky's cameras) before a ball had been kicked.

Now, relegation is a real and serious concern. There is so much wrong with the club and the board is to blame for much of that - they are overseeing the death of a once great club.

Until things change at the top, fans will continue to find ways to protest.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford took full advantage of a passive display by West Ham to produce one of their most dominant away performances in the Premier League.

They had 42 touches in the opposition box and registered 22 shots, with both figures their highest in a top-flight game on the road since promotion in 2021.

Several of the visitors' other key metrics, including expected goals, also ranked amongst their best as the Bees produced what head coach Keith Andrews called their "most complete performance of the season".

The concern for Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be just how one-sided the game was – and why his side weren't more competitive.

Image source, BBC Sport

Last night's 2-0 defeat to Brentford marked the first time West Ham have lost their opening four home games in a league season.

It was also just the second occasion that the Hammers have lost five successive top-flight matches at home, with the previous coming almost 100 years ago.

Between February and April in the 1930-31 campaign they were beaten at Upton Park by Grimsby Town (3-4), Arsenal (2-4), Birmingham City (1-2), Derby County (0-1) and Bolton Wanderers (1-4).

They finished 18th and narrowly missed relegation, however they finished bottom of the league in the following season.

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans:

Blake: Absolutely shocking performance from West ham. Absolutely no urgency anywhere on the pitch and everyone looked tired. Need to have a big look at ourselves and try again.

Jade: That's one of the worst performances I've seen from us in years (and I've seen some stinkers). What exactly was Nuno's plan tonight? No striker, full-backs playing on the wrong sides, a midfield with no presence - looked like 11 strangers out there. No cohesion, identity or fight - utterly toothless.

Roger: Expected so much more passion on the pitch for the new gaffer's first home game. Time for some radical action. 17-year-old Airidas Golambeckis is our best young player since Rice.

Robbie: Poor West Ham team, not a one off, major problems ahead.

Brentford fans:

Mike: Andrews quietly silencing the doubters. Young coach learning game by game, will be there for many years I feel. Well don't Bees.

Lee: Brentford looked much fitter than West Ham. The Hammers looked very lethargic.

Drew: Only consolation for West Ham United tonight was the scoreline. Brentford should've been in double figures. Worst performance by a Premier League team I've seen in years. Brentford's Thiago looks some player. Brentford will be OK with the quality they've got throughout the squad.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Sport following the 2-0 defeat to Brentford: "It was tough. Not just for me. It was tough for our fans, for our players, for everybody.

"The first 15 minutes things were clicking and the team were organised and combining well. After that we lost composure.

"Credit to Brentford, a physical team that put us under problems. Throw-ins, corners and the momentum of the game changed."

On his half-time changes: "We were being fragile at the back. It was almost 0-2 [after the VAR disallowed goal] and it becomes harder."

On whether he is still learning about his players: "Every day. Every moment. We're not going to sleep. "It's a challenge for all of us. It's up to us to change the momentum and bring our fans back to support us In four days time we need a big improvement."

Did you know?

• West Ham United have lost five successive home games in the top-flight for the second time in their history, previously doing so in April 1931.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It is hard to imagine how Nuno Espirito Santo's first home game in charge of West Ham could have gone any worse

This was a miserable night on and off the pitch for the hosts.

There were plenty of empty seats amid the latest phase of protests organised by fan group Hammers United, who want chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to leave.

Those who were there then booed the team off at half-time, most had left long before the final whistle with the few that did stay again displaying their frustration at the final whistle.

The Hammers have now lost their first four home league games, and did not deserve anything from a woeful showing against a Brentford side that had not picked up a point on their travels before coming to London Stadium.

Apart from one bright run from Crysencio Summerville from the halfway line to the penalty area and Jarrod Bowen's low strike being saved, there was little to excite West Ham fans.

This was a painful reality check of how big a challenge Nuno faces as he attempts to keep West Ham in the top flight. On this evidence, the Hammers face a long season and a relegation battle.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Nuno Espirito Santo makes five changes to the West Ham starting line-up in his first home game in charge of the Hammers.

In come 19-year-old full-back Ollie Scarles, Jean-Clair Todibo, Kyle Walker-Peters, Tomas Soucek (back after a three-game ban) and Andy Irving.

West Ham XI: Areola, Scarles, Kilman, Todibo, Walker-Peters, Soucek, Irving, Summerville, Fernandes, Paqueta, Bowen.

Just the one change from Brentford boss Keith Andrews to the 11 that began the 1-0 loss to Manchester City on 5 October as Dango Ouattara is in and Aaron Hickey misses out.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Yarmoliuk, Van Den Berg, Collins, Ajer, Kayode, Damsgaard, Henderson, Ouattara, Thiago, Schade.

West Ham have lost three out of three at home - the same as Brentford have done away - so something has got to give here.

This could be 0-0 on the basis that both teams will just sit in their own half - I don't think either team will want the ball and both managers prefer to play on the counter-attack.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been brought in to keep the Hammers up, so he is not going to change the style of play that has brought him success.

I am not sure how that will go down with the West Ham fans - recent history suggests they are not going to like it, but they are going to have to get used to it.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews also likes to park the bus, so I don't see there being many chances at either end, or much ambition to score.

I can feel myself edging towards another 0-0 prediction but instead I am going to be optimistic and say there will be a goal... and a first West Ham win for Nuno.

He has already beaten Brentford once, as Forest manager on the opening weekend of the season, so this would be a very welcome double for him.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham play their first home game under Nuno Espirito Santo, taking on a Brentford side who have only lost one of their eight Premier League matches against the Hammers. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Monday's fixture.

The Hammers' new head coach has plenty on his plate after succeeding Graham Potter but improving the team's dismal home form must be the immediate priority. West Ham have lost all three of their games at London Stadium this term, with disenchanted fans streaming out early during heavy defeats against Chelsea and Tottenham and a similarly toxic atmosphere in the recent reverse to Crystal Palace.

Some supporters protested against the board before the loss to Palace and a boycott is also planned for this match, although campaign organisers have stressed their actions are not aimed at Nuno or his players.

The Hammers have the worst defensive record in the top flight before this latest round of fixtures so it would be no surprise to see a change of system against the Bees. Nuno reportedly fielded a back three during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Ipswich during the international break, and a new system could perhaps provide his side with a more solid structure.

However the Hammers line up, supporters will expect to see the team make amends for their woeful recent record in derby matches. They have lost all four of their Premier League London derbies this season, conceding a total of 12 goals, and are at risk of losing five such fixtures in a row for the first time since 2010.

Brentford are Hammers' bogey side

Brentford have lost all three of their away league games under Keith Andrews but will take encouragement from their impressive record against West Ham. They have won six of eight Premier League meetings, more victories than against any other opponent, including a 1-0 win at the London Stadium in February.

Andrews' team were beaten by Manchester City last time out, though they once again caused problems with long throw-ins. Brentford have delivered 34 throws into box in the league this season, more than any other side, and could have some success with that ploy against a West Ham side that have already conceded eight times from corners.

While set-pieces have been a crucial part of Brentford's success since promotion in 2021, the Bees may have to lean on them even more under Andrews, who was their set-piece coach until taking over as head coach in June.

Under the Irishman, Brentford are playing fewer passes, taking fewer shots and having fewer touches in the opposition box per game than in any of their previous Premier League campaigns.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport researcher

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Brentford at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Niclas Fullkrug is undergoing tests for a lower leg injury: "He just had a scan and we're waiting on the results."

• Beyond Fullkrug, all other players away on international duty have returned unscathed.

• Nuno is looking forward to his first home game in charge of West Ham: "We haven't changed anything specific, just implementing routines. For me, it's hard to analyse what's happened before. We want to improve, and we know the home form factor is important."

• On rumours of supporters boycotting the match: "I wish all our fans will join us and support us. It's up to us to give back to the fans so they can grow close to us, make them support us and help us so we can change everything and become a fortress.

• On getting the most out of forward Crysencio Summerville: "He has a lot of talent. He has his own specific characteristics - speed and very aggressive one on one. It's up to us to manage the ball and get it to our front players at the right time and in the right positions.

• He said West Ham's forward options are strong: "It is a healthy fight for the position. They're different players, but it's a good situation."

• On visitors Brentford: "They are a good team. They compete well and they have a lot of threats. They have good players and are good at set-pieces, so it's going to be a tough game."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Real Madrid could send Endrick out on loan in January, but West Ham are not viewed as a viable destination for the 19-year-old Brazil forward. (Teamtalk), external

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League table is starting to take shape and while results are obviously what matter most, they don't tell the whole story in terms of how teams have been playing so far.

Expected goals (xG) tells us how much teams have been dominating games by creating lots of good chances up front and restricting opponents to few, bad ones at the back.

Penalties are excluded because they distort a team's numbers on how threatening or vulnerable they are in general, especially at this early stage.

Below is a graphic showing how good teams have been in attack and defence, with the most dominant teams in the top-right corner and the least impressive in the bottom-left corner.

Arsenal and Manchester City have been the most dominant sides, with the Gunners having the best defence and fourth-best attack and City the joint-best attack and fourth-best defence.

High-flying Crystal Palace are the only side to rival City's attacking threat, while Newcastle are living up to their name by being almost as impregnable at the back as Arsenal.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea have one of the top five attacks in the league but worryingly also rank in the bottom five defensively.

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Liverpool's back-to-back defeats following five straight wins gives a more accurate picture of how they have been playing, while Tottenham have needed to be very efficient to make up for their lack of dominance in games.

Aston Villa's early-season struggles are no longer to do with finishing - they have now scored six non-penalty goals from an xG of 6.0 - but simply because they have not been playing well.

While promoted sides Leeds and Sunderland have adapted quite well to the top-flight, Burnley have struggled to make the jump so far with both the worst attack and the worst defence.

Read more on what expected goals tell us about the start to the season