This is West Ham’s first competitive outing since dropping out of the Premier League, and that alone gives the match weight. Relegated clubs often talk about response, energy and unity in August. Those themes matter even more when the first fixture arrives with anxiety already in the air.
Portsmouth will not lack edge or support, and cup ties against lower-division opposition can become awkward quickly if the atmosphere turns restless. A team adjusting to life outside the top flight does not need extra noise around it.
Reports suggest Sullivan could still attend despite the advice, with fan anger a central concern. That leaves West Ham facing a familiar problem: every football issue is being pulled into a wider debate about ownership, leadership and trust.
The danger for the club is not only reputational. When supporter frustration becomes the main story, it can shape the mood in the ground and the pressure on the players. A cup opener should feel like a fresh start. Instead, this one appears to come with a layer of tension before a ball is kicked.
There has also been movement around the ownership picture and changes in the squad, while Nuno Espirito Santo remains the man tasked with guiding the rebuild. That gives the season a transitional feel. The structure above him appears unsettled, and the group on the pitch is still taking shape.
That is why the performance matters as much as the result. West Ham need control, calm and a sense of direction. Beyond Portsmouth, the next story to watch is whether the club can keep attention on the pitch as the early Championship weeks and the final stretch of the transfer window begin to bite.