We keep trying to build momentum - Nuno

West Ham United head to South Wales to face league leaders Swansea City in a high-stakes EFL Championship encounter, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo stressing the relentless demand for consistency as his third-placed side attempts to build sustained momentum following a resounding midweek victory.

West Ham arrive in South Wales carrying the confidence of a historic 6-0 rout of nine-man Lincoln City, a result that secured the club's joint-biggest away win in over a century. However, Nuno acknowledged that Saturday's test against the division's pacesetters will demand an entirely different level of performance, particularly given the physical toll of a compressed fixture schedule.

Media additions

Speaking to journalists during his pre-match press conference on Friday, 16 October 2026, the West Ham head coach reflected on the professional display against Lincoln while addressing the realities of managing a demanding 46-game campaign. According to Readwestham, Nuno noted that while early red cards to Lincoln defenders Tom Hamer and Conor McGrandles shaped the game's structural dynamics, his side executed key tactical instructions effectively after a frustrating opening period.

The dominant display saw the Hammers register 32 shots and retain significant possession, mirroring their tactical output under Nuno's disciplined system.

Championship Momentum and the Swansea Test

Momentum has been a central theme of Nuno's public messaging as the squad targets an automatic return to the Premier League. As highlighted by Thewesthamway, the manager dismissed the idea of scaling fixtures by perceived difficulty, maintaining that every match carries identical weight.

"For us, all of the matches are must-wins, because the points mean exactly the same throughout the season. It’s always a must-win game, and that is our objective."

Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham Head Coach, via Readwestham and East London Times

Swansea City enter the weekend having lost only once this term, establishing a four-point cushion at the summit. Nuno expressed admiration for his opposite number, fellow Portuguese coach Vítor Matos, praising him as a young manager with notable quality.

The fixture also arrives amid an intense physical turnaround. With only two days separating the conclusion of their midweek commitments and Saturday afternoon's 15:00 BST kick-off, the coaching staff have prioritized recovery protocols over extensive training ground sessions, relying instead on video analysis to prepare for Swansea's tactical setup.

Match Context and Comparison

The physical demands of the Championship require careful squad management, a reality Nuno has navigated through strategic rotation. Earlier in the campaign, youth prospects such as Josh Ajala and goalkeeper Fin Herrick featured prominently in cup competitions, earning praise from the manager for their development and contribution to the club's winning culture.

As the squad prepares for the weekend, supporters are expected to travel in large numbers to South Wales. Nuno acknowledged the backing of the fanbase, expressing a desire to reward their loyalty with a strong performance on the road.

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What to Watch Next

• Saturday’s 15:00 BST kick-off at the Swansea.com Stadium between Swansea City and West Ham United.
• Team selection and tactical adjustments by Nuno to cope with the two-day recovery window.
• Post-match league standings as the top of the Championship table takes shape heading into the late-autumn fixture block.