West Ham forward Andre Ayew has backed his Hammers’ team mates to resolve the club’s defensive problems before the end of the season.
The Hammers conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with Sunderland at the weekend. The Black Cats had gone twelve hours without a goal before scoring against West Ham on Saturday but Ayew told the club’s official website that he has faith in the players to turn things around:
“It was a tough game and we’re disappointed to concede in the last minute. That’s happened a few times now but we’re ready to prepare for Everton and that’s going to be a tough game.”
“I think this season has been difficult season in many ways. We just need to work hard to gain confidence and when we’re leading, we went back too much and don’t go forward. It happens when you haven’t got the results you have wanted. I know we will solve this problem before the end of the season.”
The two goals conceded at the Stadium of Light means the Hammers have now conceded 59 goals in 33 matches, an average of 1.79 goals per game in the league this season.
The purchase of Jose Fonte from Southampton for £8million has not helped matters. Since his arrival, the Portuguese international has played eleven games where West Ham have kept one clean sheet and conceded 22, an average of two goals per game, more than the season average.
Luckily the leaky defence shouldn’t cost West Ham their Premier League status. After the weekend draw, they are now nine points ahead of Swansea City in 18th with five games to go.
