Pablo Fornals has admitted to West Ham TV the Irons are ‘disappointed’ with their recent lack of favourable Premier League results and the performances that they have produced.
The Hammers have won just one of their last five top-flight fixtures after failing to maintain the lead on Saturday. David Moyes’ men led against Newcastle United before Joe Willock scored a first-half stoppage-time equaliser to strike out Craig Dawson’s earlier free header.
Dawson was West Ham’s hero the week before, as well, with a 91st-minute equaliser away to Leicester City. Jarrod Bowen had broken the deadlock at the King Power Stadium before Youri Tielemans and Ricardo Pereira flipped the script with the Foxes’ only shots on target.
Back-to-back draws since beating relegation-threatened Watford has seen West Ham slip out of the top-four. The Hammers held the last of the Premier League’s Champions League qualifying spots by a point, but they now trail Manchester United by four after 26 games.
Premier League drop off frustrating Fornals and West Ham
The 2021/22 season has produced new challenges for West Ham as they look to break into the Premier League top-four. They competed in the Europa League group stage for the first time and have progressed to the last 16. They also reached the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
The Irons also remain in the FA Cup after beating National League North side Kidderminster Harriers after extra-time. West Ham’s cup exploits and European tour give Fornals positives but the Spaniard also admits the recent downturn in league form frustrates Moyes’ men.
“It has been intense and not many of the guys have played European competitions before,” Fornals said. “We have done well in the two [domestic] cups, too. So, it’s many games, but we have really good players and the whole squad is committed for everything.
“I think it’s most important to keep taking points and still pass rounds in the other competitions. We are the first ones who want to fly every time, who want to be fighting with the teams at the top, but all of this is new for every one of us.
“It’s a process and I can say this, and this is a truth, that we’re not losing games. So, the thing is all of us are disappointed [in recent performances]. But at the end of the day, it’s better to go home with one point than without.”
While West Ham sit fifth in the Premier League table, Arsenal hold three games in hand in sixth and are level on points with Fornals and co. Seventh-place Wolves are also only two-points behind with two games in hand. Tottenham likewise have three in hand in eighth.
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