West Ham travel to The Den on Saturday with genuine momentum behind them after turning an uncertain start into a powerful Championship charge.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have won four league games in a row, scoring 16 times in victories over Wolves, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham.
Their latest Championship outing brought a 6-0 demolition of Wrexham and sent them top of the table.
A 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat against Fulham on Tuesday briefly interrupted the celebrations, but Nuno made six changes and the Hammers’ league rhythm remains untouched.
Another win this weekend would make it five in succession and strengthen the belief that their stay outside the Premier League will be a short one.
This is no routine trip, however.
West Ham and Millwall are meeting for the first time since February 2012, with Saturday’s lunchtime showdown set to be the 100th competitive game between the rivals.
The Hammers have not won a league match at The Den since 1988.
Five trips there have come and gone without a victory for the visitors, so form alone won’t settle a derby carrying this much history and emotion.
West Ham should still arrive as favourites.
Millwall have won only one of their previous five league matches, while Nuno’s attack has ripped through Championship defences in recent weeks.
|
West Ham and Millwall’s last 10 meetings |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Date |
Fixture |
Competition |
West Ham result |
|
4 February 2012 |
West Ham 2-1 Millwall |
Championship |
Win |
|
17 September 2011 |
Millwall 0-0 West Ham |
Championship |
Draw |
|
25 August 2009 |
West Ham 3-1 Millwall (AET) |
League Cup |
Win |
|
16 April 2005 |
West Ham 1-1 Millwall |
Championship |
Draw |
|
21 November 2004 |
Millwall 1-0 West Ham |
Championship |
Loss |
|
21 March 2004 |
Millwall 4-1 West Ham |
First Division |
Loss |
|
28 September 2003 |
West Ham 1-1 Millwall |
First Division |
Draw |
|
28 March 1993 |
West Ham 2-2 Millwall |
First Division |
Draw |
|
15 November 1992 |
Millwall 2-1 West Ham |
First Division |
Loss |
|
24 February 1991 |
West Ham 3-1 Millwall |
Second Division |
Win |
The key will be keeping cool when the atmosphere becomes fierce and the contest starts to feel more physical.
West Ham handed Joel Veltman blow as Nuno confirms Millwall absence
Nuno must now prepare without Joel Veltman after confirming that the experienced defender will not be ready for the trip across London.
Veltman’s absence is a setback because the summer signing has featured in every Championship game so far.
He was taken off during the first half of the win over Wrexham before sitting out the cup tie with Fulham, and Nuno has decided not to risk him in the derby.
The encouraging part of the update is that Veltman is making progress.
Nuno did not offer a firm return date, but his wording suggests this is not expected to become a major long-term problem, and the ‘terrific‘ defender may well return after the international break.
There was also cautious encouragement over Soucek and Areola.
Both are moving in the right direction, yet Nuno stopped short of confirming that either player would be available on Saturday.
“Joel (Veltman) will not be involved tomorrow (against Millwall) but he is improving,” said Nuno to the press.
“Tomas Soucek and Alphonse Areola are getting better.”
West Ham have the depth to handle one defensive change, but Veltman’s calmness and experience would have suited an occasion like this.
Nuno will want his replacement to show the same discipline and avoid being dragged into the emotion surrounding the fixture.
The Hammers have built their excellent run on bold attacking football, and if they can add control and composure at The Den, even without Veltman, they will have every chance of ending another big week on top of the Championship.