By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Millwall defender Caleb Taylor has promised his side will “really give it” to West Ham on Saturday, as the Hammers prepare for what is likely to be our most hostile away atmosphere of the Championship season so far.
The 23-year-old, who has played every minute of Millwall’s league campaign this season, also warned that The Den will be “proper intimidating” when the two sides meet there for the first time in more than 14 years. Speaking to the BBC following an appearance on the EFL 72+ podcast, Taylor made it clear Millwall intend to make life as uncomfortable as possible for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
“We’ll make it a good game and really give it to them,” said Taylor.
I have no doubt whatsoever that they will.
West Ham May Not Know What Is Coming
I don’t think the atmosphere will worry West Ham in the build-up, but I’m not sure the players will fully appreciate what is coming either.
That is where Nuno’s coaching staff become important, and having people around the squad who understand the club and the rivalry could help. There are academy players within the set-up who will know exactly what this fixture means to supporters.
But for plenty of the first-team squad, this will be completely new. They may only truly understand it when they walk out onto the pitch and hear The Den at full volume.
The rivalry has been largely dormant in recent years, with West Ham and Millwall only being reunited in the same division following the Hammers’ relegation.
Millwall boss Alex Neil is complaining of fatigue
Millwall Will Be Well Up For It
I wouldn’t necessarily expect Millwall to simply kick lumps out of West Ham.
They’ve got some decent players and their manager has already admitted fatigue is becoming an issue.
Alex Neil said after their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough: “We’ve got West Ham at the weekend, and we’ve got a lot of lads running on empty.”
That draw was significant for West Ham too, because it prevented Middlesbrough from moving above the Hammers and ensured Nuno’s side remained top of the Championship.
But whatever the fatigue levels, Millwall will be well up for this one.
Taylor’s comments make that perfectly clear.
The Referee May Have A Big Job
My bigger concern isn’t necessarily Millwall’s players. It’s whether the atmosphere influences referee Paul Tierney.
You’ll need to be a pretty brave official to make a major decision against Millwall at The Den in a derby against West Ham, particularly if the crowd are right on top of him.
That doesn’t mean I expect anything untoward, but there is no doubt that environment can create pressure.
West Ham need to be ready for it and simply play through it.
Confidence should certainly not be a problem after the extraordinary 6-0 demolition of Wrexham, when Nuno’s front four absolutely tore their opponents apart.
Millwall have also conceded 13 goals across their last five league matches.
Nuno effectively rested his strongest attacking unit for the Carabao Cup defeat to Fulham, having already made it clear that the Millwall league game was the priority.
There is no doubt Millwall will try to make Saturday a huge occasion.
But if West Ham handle the noise and play anything like they did against Wrexham, there is plenty of reason to believe we can hurt them.