Well, that was about as bad as it gets.
Sure, West Ham have suffered heavier defeats in recent times — against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace — but there was something different about last night’s 2-0 loss to Brentford. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it felt worse.
Perhaps it was the lack of fight and leadership. Maybe the tactical flaws, the questionable selections, or the sheer absence of skill. Or perhaps it’s because West Ham have now lost five successive home games in the top flight for only the second time in our history — the last being way back in April 1931.
No Fight, No Faith, No Hope
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On reflection, I think what made the experience so dreadful was the complete lack of belief. At no point after going behind did I think the team I’ve supported for over fifty years could mount a meaningful attack.
Nuno Espirito Santo deserves part of the blame, as do the players. But for once, I wasn’t angry — just numb. It felt like watching the slow decline of a football club I love.
I had no faith that any substitute could change the game, and even [Jarrod Bowen](https://www.claretandhugh.info/jarrod-bowen-bio/), our best player, looked powerless to make an impact. The most sobering part was that Brentford are a bottom-six side, yet they looked comfortably better than us.
So yes, West Ham have endured bigger defeats. But those were different — they came with hope. Hope that a new manager or signing might fix things, that brighter days were still ahead.
Sadly, that hope feels gone. Because right now, changing the manager or the players would just be rearranging the chairs on the Titanic — and unless the bloke steering the ship is replaced, it will not matter who’s in the dugout.