West Ham United fans made their voices heard at Everton’s new stadium in more ways than one on Nuno Espirito Santo’s bow as manager and it made uncomfortable listening for some.
It was a case of different day, different manager but same old West Ham when they conceded a corner in the first half at Everton.
The Hammers looked more organised, compact and defensively disciplined for their first game under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The second half performance in particular was hugely encouraging.
But the almost comedic vulnerability from corners reared its ugly head once more as West Ham conceded yet another goal from a second phase corner, their eighth of the season so far.
Nuno gets something to build on at West Ham
That is a new Premier League record six games in and halfway to the season-long record of 16. A reminder, the season is SIX games in.
It seems as inevitable as death and taxes that West Ham will be the new holders of that most undesirable of records come what May.
Whether they are still in the Premier League by then looks very much touch-and-go.
If Nuno didn’t realise the size of the task he has on his hands then he does now.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
And not just in terms of managing the team on the pitch but managing up too with the growing resentment from supporters towards the club’s board.
Four chants West Ham fans belted out 30 minutes into Nuno Espirito Santo’s bow at Everton speak volumes in that regard.
Graham Potter did not have a leg to stand on when losing his job 48 hours out from the game at Everton.
But West Ham fans have been making it perfectly clear who they think is to blame for the mess they are in right now.
Chants West Ham fans belted out on Nuno bow speak volumes
Ahead of the game West Ham supporters showed class by cancelling planned protests against the owners out of respect to Everton.
Fan group Hammers United are planning black balloon protests at every away game aimed at majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
A season-long campaign of activism is in the pipeline including a boycott of the next home game against Brentford.
Hammers fans may have left the black balloons at home, but they still made their feelings clear.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Just half an hour into Nuno’s first game, the chants began.
The first was the most X-rated, aimed squarely at Sullivan, using his abbreviated nickname ‘Sully’ and a four-letter word that’s probably best left to the imagination.
Then came chant number two as West Ham’s loyal away following sang “sack the board” on repeat.
Brady was the target of the next chant.
The unpopular vice-chair is in charge of the day-to-day running of the club and supporters are demanding she stand down.
Hammers fans keep heat on board
“We want Brady out, say we want Brady out,” Hammers fans chanted.
Another chant heard loud and clear on Sky Sports was “We want our club back”.
Well that particular battle will continue until change is forthcoming at the top.
But West Ham may have their team back. Or at least some semblance of a team that is organised, determined and willing to do the hard yards.
West Ham’s 1-1 draw at Everton is something to build on for Nuno.
Whether the owners will remain as the architects much longer remains to be seen as supporters will not be going quietly into the night.