A difficult season has continued to get worse for West Ham United. Saturday’s 4-2 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion has now seen the Hammers lose four consecutive matches across all competitions.
Manager Slaven Bilic certainly appears frustrated and is left searching for answers to their defensive issues. “Again, the defending was not at the level required in the Premier League”, Bilic stated in a post-match interview.
West Ham had many reasons for optimism heading into 2016-17. A seventh-place Premier League finish last season saw them compete for Champions League qualification for a prolonged period.
Over a century at the storied Boleyn Ground was finished off in style, as a 3-2 victory over Manchester United left those connected with the club that special times were ahead. London’s Olympic Stadium awaited, as West Ham seemed poised to join the Premier League elite.
Elimination from the UEFA Europa League once again at the hands of Romanian side Astra Giurgiu left many disappointed, but the Hammers’ form subsequently in the Premier League has been just as alarming.
So what has been halting West Ham’s progress?
INABILITY TO SCORE GOALS
Slaven Bilic’s arrival last summer brought an offensive renaissance for West Ham United. The team set club records for goals scored (65) and points in a Premier League season (62). Victories over strong sides like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool seemed to substantiate West Ham’s intent on climbing the table in an impressive manner.
French midfielder Dimitri Payet was a driving force, and kept his fine form going through the summer for his home nation at Euro 2016.
In their first seven matches across all competitions, West Ham have either been held scoreless or found only one goal in five of those encounters. Payet has had a slow start to the campaign and Bilic will need his attacking players find a rhythm.
With over two-thirds of possession (72-28) and nearly three times more passes completed (555-183) on Saturday, West Ham should have been able to get more from the match against West Brom.
A DEFENCE UNABLE TO STOP TEAMS FROM SCORING
Bilic labelled Saturday’s defensive performance at the Hawthorns “embarrassing”, and the Hammers are allowing far too many goals to find any positive results in recent matches. West Ham have allowed 11 goals in their past three Premier League matches.
A worrisome habit of conceding goals late in games suggests there may be a problem of either desire or fitness.
Ultimately, West Ham United are unable to score and allow their opponents to score far too often. This is a combination that will only continue frustrations and embarrassment for supporters.
CONFIDENCE HURT
After their Europa League exit at the end of last month, West Ham may have looked to use the situation as motivation to concentrate on their Premier League form.
That motivation did not translate.
Saturday’s play at West Brom was lackadaisical at times, especially towards the final moments. One key situation that needs to be avoided is players not showing the required desire and a lack of effort.
Now sitting in the relegation zone after five Premier League matches (1-0-4), West Ham United and Slaven Bilic host League Two’s Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup Third Round on Wednesday evening before Southampton arrive at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
An improved output on both ends of the pitch will be needed to get 2016-17 up and running.
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