Dean Ashton critical of West Ham United’s ‘bang average’ Premier League season

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West Ham United recorded a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester City over the weekend.

talkSPORT pundit Dean Ashton has blasted West Ham’s season and stated that it is ‘disturbing’ for the fans that they have been ‘bang average’.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table and it is looking highly likely that they will finish in that position at the end of the season.

Over the weekend, they conceded a stoppage-time goal to Brendan Rodgers’ high-flying Leicester City to drop more points in their quest to finish in the top 10.

Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (23/04/2019 at 12:40 pm), former England striker Ashton made his feelings clear about the type of season his former club have had.

Would he have taken 11th for West Ham at the start of the season: “No, I don’t think I would have taken it,” Ashton told Jim White. “I would have been like ‘meh’. It’s just been a bang average season. I think that’s more disturbing for the fans that it’s just been bang average because they have spent money.

“Now again, the injuries have reared their head at West Ham, which they have done for many years. Yarmolenko was playing well when he got injured. Lanzini has been out for most of the season. Jack Wilshere has hardly kicked a ball. Andy Carroll is a lot similar.

“If they had their full squad available, I would expect them to be a lot higher than 11th. I’m afraid the best they are hoping for is seventh. It is their sealing with the players they have recruiting and it’s still a massive job for Pellegrini to turn what is a decent squad into a team that can push for seventh.”

Pellegrini was appointed Hammers boss last summer and he was tasked in improving a team that endured a number of difficult moments, both on the field and off the field during the previous campaign.

After cries from the supporters to show ambition, the West Ham owners did just that when Pellegrini arrived as a number of big-name signings walked through the doors.

Whilst some have impressed, like Felipe Anderson, others have simply struggled to stay on the field of play like free transfer and former Arsenal man Jack Wilshere.