{"id":724,"date":"2016-09-18T15:39:53","date_gmt":"2016-09-18T19:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=724"},"modified":"2016-09-18T15:39:53","modified_gmt":"2016-09-18T19:39:53","slug":"west-ham-united-keep-falling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/09\/18\/west-ham-united-keep-falling\/","title":{"rendered":"West Ham United – Falling In 2016-17"},"content":{"rendered":"

A difficult season has continued to get worse for West Ham United<\/strong>. Saturday\u2019s 4-2 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion<\/strong> has now seen the Hammers lose four consecutive matches across all competitions.<\/p>\n

Manager Slaven Bilic<\/strong> certainly appears frustrated and is left searching for answers to their defensive issues. \u201cAgain, the defending was not at the level required in the Premier League<\/strong>\u201d, Bilic stated in a post-match interview.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong> qualification for a prolonged period.<\/p>\n

Over a century at the storied Boleyn Ground<\/strong> was finished off in style, as a 3-2 victory <\/a>over Manchester United<\/strong> left\u00a0those connected with the club\u00a0that special times were ahead. London\u2019s Olympic Stadium<\/strong> awaited, as West Ham seemed poised to join the Premier League elite.<\/p>\n

Elimination from the UEFA Europa League<\/strong> once again at the hands of Romanian side Astra Giurgiu <\/a><\/strong>left many disappointed, but the Hammers\u2019 form\u00a0subsequently in the Premier League has been just as alarming.<\/p>\n

So what has been halting West Ham’s progress?<\/p>\n

INABILITY TO SCORE GOALS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Slaven Bilic\u2019s 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<\/strong>, Arsenal<\/strong> and Liverpool<\/strong> seemed to substantiate West Ham\u2019s intent on climbing the table in an impressive manner.<\/p>\n

French midfielder Dimitri Payet<\/strong> was a driving force<\/a>, and kept his fine form going through the summer for his home nation\u00a0at Euro 2016<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

A DEFENCE UNABLE TO STOP\u00a0TEAMS FROM SCORING<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bilic labelled Saturday\u2019s defensive performance at the Hawthorns<\/strong> \u201cembarrassing\u201d, 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.<\/p>\n

A worrisome habit of\u00a0conceding goals late in games suggests there may be a problem of either desire or fitness.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

CONFIDENCE HURT<\/strong><\/p>\n

After their Europa League exit <\/a>at the end of last month, West Ham may have looked to use the situation as motivation to concentrate on their Premier League form.<\/p>\n

That motivation did not translate.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s play at West Brom was lackadaisical at times, especially towards the final moments. One key situation that needs to be avoided is players\u00a0not showing the required\u00a0desire and a lack of\u00a0effort.<\/p>\n

Now sitting in the relegation zone after five Premier League matches (1-0-4), West Ham United and Slaven Bilic host League Two\u2019s Accrington Stanley<\/strong> in the EFL Cup<\/strong> Third Round on Wednesday evening before Southampton<\/strong> arrive at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n

An improved output on both ends of the pitch will be needed to get 2016-17 up and running.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n