Former West Ham United striker Ian Wright has questioned their identity as a team under Slaven Bilic.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers have endured a torrid second season under the Croatian, a far cry from their record breaking efforts last term.
Woeful recruitment and a lack of investment from co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold has been blamed for the club’s shortcomings.
Supporters are growing increasingly disillusioned with thousands stating they do not intend to renew season tickets in online polls.
They were unremarkable again in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last time out.
And now former striker Wright has told BT Sport the East Londoners lack a gameplan and identity under Bilic.
“I watched them recently against Arsenal… they don’t keep the ball, they don’t pass to eachother, you never know how they’re going to get out,” Wright told BT Sport.
BT Sport’s Ian Wright
“Andy Carroll got taken off and you didn’t know who their focal point was, even if they were going to try and manage the game, they don’t keep the ball well.
“They constantly get the ball turned over from them, they make too many mistakes.”
Legendary Hammers defender turned coach Julian Dicks admitted last week he doesn’t take defensive training sessions at the club and reports claim Bilic will be asked to shake up his staff should he be retained this summer.
Under pressure: Bilic
Wright’s criticism is particularly stinging given that he struck up a good relationship with Bilic when the pair worked together as pundits for ITV’s Euro 2016 coverage last summer.
Wright has previously backed the manager but it appears even he is at a loss to explain why West Ham have fallen so far this season.
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