By Martin Graham
Empty seats greeted West Ham before kickoff and multiplied as the game went on. By the final whistle, the home stands were half deserted, with those remaining expressing their anger after another dismal display.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s first home match in charge ended in a 2-0 loss to Brentford, a scoreline that flattered his struggling side. For many supporters, frustration has turned into open protest, with sections of the fanbase choosing to stay away in opposition to how the club is being run.
The new manager, who is yet to taste victory after three matches, admitted the players have much to do to win back supporters’ trust. “Not good enough. Poor,” he said bluntly after the match. “Fairly, Brentford won the game. They were better. We are all concerned — the fans are concerned, and that anxiety spreads to the players. We have a problem.”
Nuno acknowledged the discontent in the stands but said it was up to the squad to restore belief. “The fans need to see something that gives them energy,” he continued. “I understand and respect their reaction. It’s our job to change it and bring everyone together again.”
Record-breaking slump continues
The defeat was West Ham’s fifth straight home loss in the league — only the second time in the club’s history, last happening in April 1931. It also marked the first time they have begun a league campaign with four consecutive home defeats.
Sitting 19th in the Premier League table with four points from eight matches, the Hammers are in crisis. Their two previous games under Nuno — a draw at Everton and a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal — offered few signs of progress. Against Brentford, they created little and were fortunate the visitors converted only two of their 22 attempts.
Brentford, managed by Keith Andrews, had not previously won away in the league this season, yet dominated throughout. Pundits were scathing in their assessment. Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “West Ham were shocking and have been shocking for a while. Brentford bullied them physically.”
Former Hammer Gary O’Neil echoed those concerns: “They look lost, out of confidence, and disconnected. That performance needs a complete turnaround — Nuno has a massive task ahead.”
Supporters protest against club leadership
Discontent in East London has been growing for months. The sight of empty seats was linked to renewed protests organized by supporters’ group Hammers United, who want chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to step down.
Sullivan and Brady, who have led the club for 15 years, oversaw the move from Upton Park to the 62,000-seat London Stadium — a decision many fans still resent. Critics say the relocation stripped the club of its identity, while the stadium’s design, with an athletics track separating the stands from the pitch, has damaged the atmosphere.
Protests before the recent Crystal Palace game — Graham Potter’s final match as manager — saw around 3,000 fans gather outside the directors’ entrance demanding change. Supporters accused the board of broken promises, limited investment, and poor facilities.
The movement shows no sign of slowing. A larger demonstration is already planned for 8 November, when West Ham hosts Burnley. Organizers expect thousands to march in what could become the biggest protest yet against the club’s hierarchy.
West Ham’s schedule offers little respite. They travel to Leeds on Friday night, with Nuno calling for a swift response. “It’s up to us to change the momentum and bring our fans back,” he told BBC Sport. “In four days’ time, we need a big improvement.”
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
