Nuno Espírito Santo Addresses West Ham Fan Boycott with Strategic Player Directives
Nuno Espírito Santo, the new manager of West Ham United, is urging his players to overlook a planned fan boycott targeting the club’s owners. This directive comes ahead of West Ham’s home match against Brentford on Monday night, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fan Boycott and Manager’s Response
The protest, arranged by the supporter group Hammers United, seeks the resignation of chairman David Sullivan and vice-chairman Karren Brady. Despite the protest, fans have expressed their support for Santo and his team. The Portuguese manager emphasized focusing on the game to deliver a strong performance against Brentford, a crucial match for the team stuck at 19th place.
Current Team Challenges
West Ham has struggled at home, failing to secure a win this season and only managing five home victories last season. The team’s sole victory this season came against Nottingham Forest in August, just before Santo’s appointment. He acknowledges the difficulty of past assessments and is committed to building a stronger team.
Injury Concerns
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Niclas Fullkrug | Thigh injury | Out indefinitely |
German forward Niclas Fullkrug is sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during training before the international break. This adds to his previous calf injury, leaving Callum Wilson and Callum Marshall as potential forwards, unless other players such as Lucas Paquetá or Jarrod Bowen are repositioned.
Tactical Outlook
Santo faces Brentford, ranked 16th, in his first home game following away games against Everton and Arsenal. He recognizes Brentford as a well-organized team with established routines, stressing the need for West Ham to focus on teamwork rather than individual play.
- First home match for Nuno Espírito Santo.
- Brentford poses a tactical challenge with a disciplined lineup.
As part of the drive to improve performance and engage fans, the club offers a promotion with ticket prices set at one pound for children attending the match. Santo remains optimistic about utilizing this opportunity to unite fans and team effort against Brentford.
