Millwall star fires clear warning to West Ham and Nuno | OneFootball

Caleb Taylor has issued a warning to West Ham ahead of their trip to face Millwall

Caleb Taylor has warned West Ham and Nuno Espírito Santo that Millwall will up their intensity for the upcoming derby clash this weekend.

The Lions are set for their first meeting against their east London rivals in over 14 years, with anticipation building for a big early-season clash.

Alex Neil’s side will be looking to earn a positive result, and end this recent spell of victories for the visitors in front of a strong crowd at the Den.

However, the club haven’t earned a win over West Ham in their last four meetings, and their last victory came over 20 years ago in 2004.

The Hammers’ last visit to Millwall came in September 2011, with the two sides sharing the spoils in a 0-0 draw.

This will be Taylor’s first taste of the team’s rivalry with West Ham after joining the club last year from West Brom.

Caleb Taylor issues Millwall warning to West Ham

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Taylor has revealed that the dressing room can’t wait for this weekend’s derby against West Ham, and that they are ready to up their intensity to ensure they meet the occasion.

He believes that a game against Espirito Santo’s side will be a big test of the Lions, but that they are prepared to do everything they can to ensure they earn a positive result from the game.

“The lads can’t wait,” said Taylor, via Southwark News.

“It’ll be a massive test.

“They’ve shown they’re a very good team.

“But we’ll up the intensity.

“We’ll be really aggressive and hopefully get the win and put on a good performance.”

Taylor has been a consistent presence in the side in these early weeks of the new campaign, starting all seven of their fixtures so far.

The defender has even contributed one goal and one assist, with Neil’s side aiming to compete for promotion to the Premier League again this year.

The Lions finished third in 2025/26, and missed out on a top two finish by just a point before losing to Hull City in the play-off semi-finals.

Millwall’s early season form

Millwall have won three of their opening seven games, losing three and drawing one, to have 10 points from a possible 21.

The gap to West Ham is just four points, but the Hammers are also leading the way at the top of the Championship table.

Neil’s side have also only won one of their last five, drawing 2-2 with Middlesbrough midweek in their most recent fixture.

The two sides will meet on Saturday afternoon at the Den in a 12.30pm kick-off in what is the final fixture before the September international break.

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Millwall need to be at their best against West Ham

Fans are looking forward to this game more than any other on the calendar for this year, so it’s up to the players to match the occasion and play at their best.

West Ham’s form in the last couple of weeks has been ominous, so Neil’s team will need to up their intensity if they’re to have the best chance at a result.

Espírito Santo’s side will go into the game as favourites, but it certainly won’t be an easy fixture away to the Den, and the team will be frankly delighted to have that game done and dusted this early into the season.

It promises to be a big occasion on Saturday, and it’s an opportunity for Taylor to test himself against top opposition, with West Ham looking on course to compete for automatic promotion.