West Ham United have the chance to achieve something they have not managed for more than 20 years when they travel to Millwall on Saturday.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have won four consecutive Championship matches, beating Wolves, Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Wrexham.
Victory at The Den would make it five successive league wins for the first time since February 2006, when Alan Pardew was in charge of the Hammers in the Premier League.
That gives West Ham another opportunity to underline the strength of their promotion push in one of the most difficult fixtures of the season.
West Ham chasing first five-game winning run since 2006
West Ham’s current sequence began with a 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium.
Nuno’s side then beat Derby County 3-0 before securing a dramatic 3-2 away victory against Bolton.
The run accelerated against Wrexham, with West Ham producing their most convincing performance of the campaign in a 6-0 victory.
Read West Ham’s player ratings from the Wrexham demolition highlighted the depth of attacking quality available to Nuno as six different players found the net.
Sky Sports confirms those four results have produced 16 West Ham goals, with only four conceded.
The last West Ham side to win five consecutive league matches did so under Pardew two decades ago.
That 2005/06 team enjoyed an impressive run following promotion to the Premier League, ultimately winning five straight league matches as part of seven consecutive victories in all competitions.
Millwall form gives West Ham encouragement
Saturday is unlikely to be straightforward.
Millwall are unbeaten in their last five home league meetings with West Ham, winning three and drawing two since losing 1-0 in December 1988.
Their more recent Championship form, however, provides encouragement for Nuno.
Alex Neil’s side have won only one of their last five league matches, drawing once and losing three.
More concerning for Millwall is their defensive record.
They have conceded 13 goals across those five games, the same number they allowed across their previous 18 Championship fixtures, excluding the play-offs.
West Ham have already shown they possess the attacking quality to exploit those problems.
Read West Ham has examined how the Hammers can also challenge a Championship scoring benchmark at Millwall after reaching 20 league goals through their opening seven matches.
Nuno can make another statement at The Den
The significance of Saturday extends well beyond a historical statistic.
A fifth consecutive league victory would strengthen West Ham’s position at the top end of the Championship while maintaining momentum heading into the international break.
It would also come in a fixture carrying considerably more pressure than the average league game.
Millwall boss Alex Neil has already questioned how West Ham will handle the atmosphere at The Den.
Nuno therefore needs his players to combine the attacking confidence of recent weeks with the composure required in a derby.
West Ham have not won five consecutive league games for more than two decades.
Saturday gives this side the opportunity to change that.
