West Ham United have lost three from three in the Premier League this season.
Pundit Craig Bellamy has told Sky Sports’ The Debate that he is worried about the lack of intensity in West Ham’s play, whilst former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is hoping that a return to the London Stadium can spark some form.
The Hammers went into the season with some optimism having landed proven Premier League players such as Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, but that feel-good feeling has quickly evaporated.
Having lost 4-0 to Manchester United, 3-2 to Southampton and 3-0 to Newcastle United, West Ham have suffered defeat in each of their three Premier League games, piling the pressure
Bilic only just managed to cling onto his job over the summer after a disappointing campaign last season, and fans are already wondering just how long the Croatian has got to turn things around.
On Monday night, Bilic faces one of his biggest games since taking charge of West Ham in 2015, as the visit of Huddersfield Town could define his future in East London, with a fourth defeat in a row potentially seeing him face the axe.
Ahead of Monday’s game, ex-West Ham striker Craig Bellamy and former Hammers manager Sam Allardyce have both spoken to Sky Sports’ The Debate, as they commented on West Ham’s recent struggles.
Bellamy admitted that he is worried about West Ham after their lack of intensity against Newcastle, suggesting that the Magpies were first to almost every ball in their 3-0 win over the Hammers, which should be a major concern for Bilic.
Former boss Allardyce added that he thinks Monday’s game could be a turning point given that the fixture is at the London Stadium, a welcome return to East London after three away games – even if West Ham didn’t exactly impress in their new home last season.
“I am worried,” said Bellamy. “The intensity in their play concerns me, especially against Newcastle. Newcastle played with very good quality, but they ran them off the park, and that would worry me. They were first to everything, if they didn’t win the first ball, they won the second ball. West Ham have always had talented players, always will do – it’s part of their make-up – but you have to compete.”
“For Slaven, hopefully playing at home, when he gets the chance to play at home, because he’s had to play all his games away, that could be important. It seemed to be a problem last season, the new stadium, but they’ve had a year there, they’re familiar with it now, it is their home and they’ll get the opportunity to play at home and turn the corner against Huddersfield,” added Allardyce.
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