Gary O’Neill sends Elland Road warning to West Ham ahead of crunch Leeds United clash

Gary O’Neill sends Elland Road warning to West Ham ahead of crunch Leeds United clash

Gary O’Neill Warns West Ham to Expect Hostile Atmosphere at Elland Road

Former West Ham midfielder Gary O’Neill has cautioned the Hammers to brace themselves for a fiery reception when they travel to Elland Road for a crucial relegation battle against Leeds United.

Pressure is mounting on Leeds boss Daniel Farke, who is under scrutiny to produce a response after his side’s disappointing defeat to Burnley. Meanwhile, West Ham also find themselves in trouble following a damaging 2–0 home loss to Brentford, which left them winless and goalless at home so far this Premier League season.

After the defeat, Jarrod Bowen admitted confidence in the squad was low, as the Hammers have lost all four of their home fixtures to start the campaign. Leeds, sitting four points ahead of their visitors, will host the clash with both sides desperate for a turnaround.

O’Neill’s Elland Road Warning

Speaking on Monday Night Football after West Ham’s loss to Brentford, O’Neill expressed concern over the team’s form and warned that the upcoming trip to Leeds would be an immense challenge.

“Having watched that this evening, I have real concerns about them now,” O’Neill said. “They look lost tactically. Of course, Nuno’s only been there a short time and needs time, but they look short of confidence and not together as a group.

Brentford will probably finish near the lower mid-table, but they’ve completely taken West Ham apart at their own ground. That kind of performance will need a seismic shift if they want to get anything at Elland Road.

You go to Elland Road in four days — it’s going to be unforgiving. They’ll need a huge improvement to stand any chance.”

Leeds Must Beware of West Ham’s Away Form

While West Ham’s home form has been dreadful — four losses, only two goals scored, and 12 conceded — their away performances have been somewhat more encouraging. According to Statmuse, they have picked up four points on the road, with one win, one draw, and two defeats.

Their only victory came in a 3–0 win at Nottingham Forest in late August, when Bowen, Lucas Paquetá, and Callum Wilson all scored late on to seal the points.

However, since then, West Ham have managed just one point from five matches, underlining a growing lack of belief — particularly in attack — that Leeds will look to exploit when the two sides meet at Elland Road.