West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo says his side are “very far” from developing an identity following a dismal 2-0 loss to Brentford — his first home game in charge since taking over earlier this month.
The Hammers’ home woes deepened as goals from Igor Thiago and Mathias Jensen condemned them to a sixth league defeat of the season and a fifth consecutive loss at London Stadium. Despite optimism around Nuno’s appointment, the atmosphere turned flat as the team failed to muster a response, registering just one shot on target across 90 minutes.
Nuno, who has spoken repeatedly about rebuilding around the so-called “West Ham way,” conceded post-match that progress remains distant.
“It is very far,” he admitted. “For a while all of us want [to find an identity] but we have to persist and commit ourselves to achieve it.”
Empty seats and anxious silence
The new Hammers boss was met with a sparsely filled London Stadium, as some supporters followed through with a planned boycott in protest against the club’s board. Those who did attend grew quieter as Brentford took control, reflecting the frustration and disillusionment that continues to surround the club.
“I think we are all concerned. You can feel it from our own fans. Then this concern becomes silence, silence becomes anxiety — and we have a problem. It is understandable.” — Nuno Espírito Santo
Nuno said the subdued atmosphere was symbolic of the broader issues facing West Ham, adding that only improvement on the pitch could restore belief among supporters.
“Our fans must see something they like, something that pleases them so they can support us and give us energy like we feel in the beginning of the game,” he said. “The moment that momentum changed, that is what we have.”
The struggle for rhythm
West Ham’s latest defeat leaves them 19th in the Premier League table and still searching for a first home point of the campaign. Nuno, winless since his appointment, admitted mental lapses and technical errors were at the heart of their poor display.
“We try to make them feel comfortable so they can express themselves,” he said. “But we cannot hide ourselves. It is there to see — imprecise passes, lack of confidence. Mentally, it is one of the aspects we have to solve.”
| West Ham 0–2 Brentford: Match Stats | West Ham | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on target) | 7 (1) | 13 (6) |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.41 | 1.96 |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
source: Opta data – 20 October 2025
The defeat was Brentford’s first away win of the season under Keith Andrews, while West Ham’s problems in front of goal — and a disjointed pressing structure — continue to deepen.
Our View: West Ham identity crisis deepens
In our view, this performance highlighted just how much work Nuno faces to restore direction and belief at West Ham. The Portuguese coach has spoken passionately about defining the club’s footballing “way,” but his side currently lack the intensity, cohesion, and confidence to reflect that vision.
Empty seats and flat energy inside the stadium serve as a warning sign: fans are losing patience, and only consistent performances can bring unity back.
Analyst Verdict
I think Nuno’s honesty is commendable, but the situation is concerning. West Ham look mentally fragile and technically uncertain — not a good combination for a team already fighting relegation form.
As FootballPlace analyst John William puts it: “Nuno’s words about identity are right, but identity only takes shape when performances do. The next few weeks are critical for his credibility.”
Key Insights
- Nuno Espírito Santo says West Ham are “very far” from defining an identity
- Hammers have lost every home league game this season
- Empty seats at London Stadium reflected fan discontent
- Nuno admits mental and technical issues hurting performances
- Brentford earn first away win of the campaign under Keith Andrews
What’s Next
West Ham travel to Leeds United next weekend before returning home for a crucial clash with Newcastle United. With pressure mounting, Nuno knows his side must show resilience and start building the foundations of the identity he continues to preach.
👉 Can Nuno turn West Ham’s identity crisis into a revival — or are the Hammers heading for a long, painful season?
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