---
title: "Millwall exposed a direct-ball problem West Ham must solve before QPR"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/09/21/millwall-exposed-direct-ball-problem-west-ham-nuno/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2026-09-21T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-21T07:30:00Z"
---

# Millwall exposed a direct-ball problem West Ham must solve before QPR

The biggest concern was not simply that West Ham trailed 2-0 at half-time.

It was how easily Millwall disrupted them.

Both first-half goals followed pressure created by Lyndon Dykes long throws, with West Ham repeatedly struggling to win the first contact and then control the second ball.

Our [Millwall 2-2 West Ham match report](https://readwestham.com/2026/09/19/millwall-2-2-west-ham-match-report/) showed how that became a recurring problem throughout the opening 45 minutes.

The [official West Ham report](https://cdn.whufc.com/en/news/match-report-or-west-hams-second-half-comeback-secures-draw-at-millwall) also confirms the Hammers entered the interval two goals behind before producing a far stronger second-half performance.

For Nuno Espírito Santo, that gives the international break a clear tactical purpose.

West Ham will face more Championship opponents willing to bypass midfield, compete for territory and attack loose balls around the penalty area.

Technical quality alone will not solve that.

The back line must win more first contacts, while the midfield has to position itself better for the second phase.

That is particularly important before Queens Park Rangers visit London Stadium on **Friday 9 October**.

Supporters can track that fixture and the rest of the promotion campaign through our evergreen [West Ham fixtures and results hub](https://readwestham.com/fixtures-results/).

West Ham showed at The Den that they have the quality to recover from a bad half.

The next step is making sure they do not need to.