Nuno Espirito Santo has urged fans to back the team ahead of planned protests, as West Ham United host Brentford in a crucial Premier League London derby on Monday.
The Hammers, 19th in the table, are searching for their first win in four games. A victory would see them draw level on seven points with Brentford, who come into the match in 16th place after a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in their previous outing.
The Hammers' 2-0 loss to Arsenal last time out extended their winless run to four matches, during which they have lost three times and scored only twice.
New boss Nuno is yet to oversee a game in the Irons' dugout as the home manager, with his opening two games away at Everton and Arsenal, respectively.
Their form at London Stadium has also been poor this term, with West Ham losing all three of their matches in front of their own supporters and conceding 10 goals in total.
"We haven't changed anything specific, just implementing routines," Nuno said.
"For me, it's hard to analyse what's happened before. We want to improve, and we know the home form factor is important.
"I wish all our fans will join us and support us. It's up to us to give back to the fans so they can grow close to us, make them support us and help us so we can change everything and become a fortress."
Returning with a smile pic.twitter.com/NoNHdc5J7u
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 18, 2025
Brentford, meanwhile, should not be overly discouraged by their defeat to Pep Guardiola's side, where they were undone by Erling Haaland's brilliance, as they were otherwise competitive against the title hopefuls.
Manager Keith Andrews will note that his side are just three points behind their tally at the same stage last season and a win would match their total after eight games in 2024-25.
The Bees have conceded nine goals in the current campaign, slightly better than the 13 they allowed in the first seven games under Thomas Frank last term, though their scoring — nine goals — is three fewer than last season.
"Every facet of the game we can improve on. How connected we are as a team without the ball, how we press, communication, a lot of relationships - I speak about that a lot. It is a new team," Andrews said.
"It just takes a bit of time. Whatever facet it is, I know we can, and will, improve. But because of the nature of the business we want it to be sooner rather than later."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Ham – Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta has netted three goals in eight appearances for the Hammers already this term across all competitions, including in the club's only league victory of the campaign so far – a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The playmaker is on the verge of his 100th Premier League appearance, which would make him the 30th Brazilian to reach the milestone. Brazil will become the seventh nation to have 30 or more players achieve 100 league appearances, following England (475), France (59), Republic of Ireland (56), Scotland (53), Wales (42), and Spain (40).
Brentford – Igor Thiago
From one Brazilian to another, Thiago has been in goalscoring form of late. The forward has scored four goals for Andrews' side in the Premier League this term, with only three players finding the back of the net more times than him so far this season.
He has been particularly clinical, having scored four of his six shots on target, with all four of those coming from inside the box.