West Ham are still with just one Premier League win this season.placeholder image
West Ham are still with just one Premier League win this season. | Getty Images
Brentford beat West Ham at a depleted London Stadium with many Hammers supporters boycotting the fixture.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted that a boycott from supporters had affected his team’s performance against Brentford after his side were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium.
It was a lacklustre performance from the Hammers, who caved into long periods of Brentford possession following a strong opening 10 minutes. Igor Thiago opened the scoring for the Bees after 43 minutes with Mathias Jensen adding a second in injury time, but the visitors could have netted many more
West Ham were booed off the pitch both at half time and full time by the fans who were in attendance at the London Stadium. Many had stayed at home as part of a ‘Brentford Boycott’ organised by supporters group Hammers United.
West Ham players ‘anxious’ with fan protests
The group claimed that thousands had supported the protest, which comes as part of the ‘No More BS’ campaign, which hopes to bring about the resignation of chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
Speaking to Sky Sports after full-time, Nuno said: “There are many aspects. I honestly believe that our fans are concerned. The silence is about being concerned of the situation. They are concerned and we can feel it. That feeling passes to the players and transforms itself to anxiety. We had imprecise situations that quality players we have shouldn’t have.
“It’s a mix of everything that, in the end, on the pitch for the players becomes harder. Now, it’s fair enough to say that we are the ones who have to pull the fans back together.”
Later, in his press conference, he added: “It’s understandable [fan anger]. Since I arrived, there’s a clear awareness that it’s up to us to change. Our fans must see something that pleases them so they can support us and give us energy, like we feel it at the beginning of the game, our fans were behind the team.”
Nuno sent open letter by West Ham supporters
Hammers United have published an open letter to Nuno, ensuring the manager that himself and the team retain support from the fanbase and that the Brentford Boycott is aimed at those higher up in the club.
The letter says: “We would like to welcome our new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, and his coaching staff to the club and wish them all the very best as they work together to improve performances on the pitch and put West Ham United back on track. As you will no doubt be aware, prior to your arrival at the club, we launched the ‘No More BS’ campaign, which is calling for the resignations of Karren Brady and David Sullivan.
“This campaign was not aimed at your predecessors, it is not aimed at you and your team, and we would like to take this opportunity to make it absolutely clear that you have our full support.”
In other news, Nuno reaction to disallowed Brentford goal sounds major West Ham alarm bells - opinion.
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