West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo knows exactly what Saturday represents.
“All of us have experienced matches like this, they are so special for the clubs,” said the Portuguese manager.
“I’ve been involved in many rivalries in my career, many of our players also – and we know everything is inside of the pitch.
“Inside of the pitch is where things happen, what dictates the games. It’s not the noise, it’s not the 40,000 or the 20,000, it’s inside the pitch.
“Of course, it’s a special game and we’re aware.”
West Ham go into the game in a very different position to their hosts – they are top of the Championship having responded strongly after a disappointing opening run by putting together a sequence of positive league results.
Their most recent Championship outing was an emphatic 6-0 win over Wrexham although they were beaten 3-2 by Fulham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Nuno’s side will now attempt to carry their league form into an atmosphere which will be unlike anything they have experienced in the division so far.
The manager says experienced players have an important role to play in helping younger members of the squad handle the emotion of the occasion.
The message from the West Ham camp is therefore not to shy away from the rivalry but to embrace it without allowing it to distract from the football.
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