Caleb Taylor has warned West Ham and Nuno Espírito Santo that Millwall will increase their energy in the approaching derby this Saturday.

The Lions will face their east London rivals for the first time in over 14 years, with fans anticipating a high-profile early-season clash.

Alex Neil’s side will be hoping to secure a positive result and put an end to the visitors’ recent winning streak in front of a large crowd at the Den.

However, the club has not won against West Ham in their last four matches, and their last triumph was over 20 years ago, in 2004.

The Hammers last visited Millwall in September 2011, and the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Taylor will get his first experience of the club’s rivalry with West Ham after coming from West Brom last year.

Caleb Taylor offers a Millwall warning to West Ham.

Taylor has claimed that the dressing room is excited for this weekend’s derby against West Ham, and that they are prepared to raise their game to match the occasion.

He believes that a game against Espirito Santo’s team will be a significant test for the Lions, but that they are prepared to do everything possible to guarantee a favourable outcome.

“The lads can’t wait,” Taylor told Southwark News.

“It’ll be a massive test. They’ve shown they’re a very good team. But we’ll up the ante.”

“We’ll be really aggressive and hopefully get the win and put on a good performance.”

Taylor has been a constant starter throughout the team’s first seven games of the season.

The defender has even provided one goal and one assist, with Neil’s team hoping to contend for promotion to the Premier League again this season.

The Lions finished third in 2025/26, missing out on a top-two finish by a single point before losing to Hull City in the play-off semi-final.

Millwall’s Early Season Form
Millwall has won three of their first seven games, lost three, and drawn one, for ten points out of a potential twenty-one.

The deficit to West Ham is only four points, but the Hammers also lead the Championship standings.

Millwall’s last five league results.

Opponent (Home or away)

Result

Middleborough (A)

2-2

Blackburn Rovers (A).

3-1 loss

Bolton Wanderers (H)

4-0 win

Wrexham (H)

3-0 loss

Southampton (A)

5-1 loss

Neil’s team has also won only one of their last five games, a 2-2 tie with Middlesbrough in midweek.

The two sides will face battle on Saturday afternoon at the Den at 12.30pm in the final match before the September international break.

Millwall must be at their best against West Ham.

Fans are looking forward to this game more than any other on the calendar this year, so the players must rise to the occasion and perform their best.

West Ham’s recent run has been ominous, so Neil’s team will need to elevate their game if they are to have a chance of winning.

Espírito Santo’s team is expected to win the game, although it will be a challenging away encounter in the Den. The team will be relieved to have completed the game early in the season.

It promises to be a big occasion on Saturday, and Taylor will have the opportunity to test himself against quality opposition, with West Ham on track to contend for immediate promotion.