West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he is “fed up” talking about the London stadium and its affect on the Hammers’ home displays this season.
Bilic’s side have suffered humbling home defeats to Arsenal, and twice to Manchester City so far this campaign, but writing in his column for the Evening Standard, the Croatian doesn’t accept excuses that either the pitch size or the stadium itself is to blame:
“Some have said the pitch is too big for us, others that we are still acclimatising to our new home. Well, there are regulations which govern the size of the pitch and I am fed up with answering questions about the stadium. No one mentioned either factor when we beat Crystal Palace recently. I am not one for excuses.”
The facts are West Ham’s form has been just as inconsistent both away and at home this season. They have won five, drawn two and lost five at home, scoring 12 goals and conceding 20 at home this campaign, while away the picture is similar: they have won three, drawn two and lost six, scoring 17 and conceding 20.
The 40 goals conceded in 23 matches is the most concerning stat, and if the Hammers want to finish in the top half this season, they will have to hope that new signing Jose Fonte improves on a shaky first display in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City during the week.
