West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo issues players challenge amid planned supporters' boycott | OneFootball

Hammers fans are not happy with those in the boardroom

Nuno Espirito Santo has said it is up to his players to give back to supporters ahead of a planned boycott of West Ham’s game at home to Brentford.

The West Ham boss admitted that the proposed boycott was a reflection of where the club, who sit 19th in the Premier League, finds itself, but said his players were ignoring the ongoing dispute and encouraged fans to come and support the team.

“I wish they are there. I wish,” Nuno said in his pre-match press conference.

“We as a squad and a group, we ignore, we try to ignore, focus on the tasks and perform and compete and play well so the fans can be there. That is what we are focused on.”

West Ham are yet to pick up a single point at home this season, with pictures of rapidly emptying stands having become a theme of the side’s struggles at the London Stadium.

It is unclear how many fans will back the boycott, and Hammers United released a statement on Wednesday offering their support to Nuno and his team.

However, with further protests planned for games at home to Newcastle United and Burnley, Nuno is keen to stem the tide of discontent by securing a result against Brentford, who are without a single point away from home this season.

“They are a very organised team with very good players, players that have been together for some time now, so they have specific routines that we have to have [answers for] and be ready for it,” Nuno continued.

“We expect a tough match, but honestly, it is about us now. It is about how we can compete, how we can be a team, not individual, but as a team. This is our priority.”