**We live in worrying times as West Ham fans; the relegation battle, the reported financial losses. But now, we face an even greater concern: Millwall are in the Championship automatic promotion places.**
Year on year, similar patterns emerge. West Ham have a decent season of Premier League football, followed by a relegation scrap the next campaign. However, since their promotion in 2012, they have always managed to evade the drop.
Likewise, Millwall experience a recurring phenomenon. They have a mainly quiet season before finding an extended run of form. It looks as though they are going to make the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League… then they bottle it, slumping to an underwhelming top-half finish.
It has been happening for years now – but in 2026, horrifyingly, that trend could be reversed.
The Hammers still remain 18th in England’s top flight, a point behind 17th-placed Spurs. Meanwhile, their bitter rivals have crept into the Championship automatic promotion places following a huge 2-1 win against fellow promotion contenders Middlesbrough.
Not the play-off places – automatic promotion. Millwall are SECOND in the Championship.
Granted, they are only a point above Middlesbrough and three ahead of Ipswich in fourth, but this is the best season Millwall have experienced in years. Given the fact they are currently eight points ahead of sixth-placed Wrexham, Alex Neil’s side have a golden opportunity to secure Premier League promotion.
They also have the chance to realise West Ham fans’ biggest fear – a world where they sit above the Irons in the English football pyramid.
Although the footballing world is probably due another fiery West Ham-Millwall league encounter, the fact that the sides could change places come May is a bone-chilling prospect – even scarier than the sight of Roberto in goal or Glenn Murray starting against the Hammers.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side still have seven games to secure safety, and Millwall still have plenty of time to mess things up – but the mere possibility of Millwall being the sole representatives of East London in the top flight next season is motivation enough for Hammers fans to be concerned and really get behind their team in the run-in.