After losing 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur, the Premier League table does not read well for West Ham United.
The Hammers were 2-1 up in the 89th minute and looked like they would be moving away from the relegation zone – and potentially up to 12th place.
Unfortunately for the Hammers fans, the away side buckled under the pressure and conceded two late Harry Kane goals including a penalty.
It ensured Slaven Bilic’s side went home with nothing, despite being the better side on the day.
The result leaves West Ham in 17th place having lost seven of their opening 12 games – just one loss less than the entirety of last season.
What is even more worrying for the Hammers is that the teams below them seem to be pulling themselves together, with Sunderland recording back-to-back wins over Bournemouth and Hull City and Swansea City grabbing a valuable point away at Everton.
West Ham are in a relegation fight, and a portion of their squad are certainly playing like it. We take a look at five players who are letting Slaven Bilic down this season.
WINSTON REID
Winston Reid’s place on this list is perhaps a little harsh – after all, the New Zealander was arguably the best player on the pitch and directly involved in both of his side’s goals.
The 28-year-old isn’t included so much because of his performances but more for his discipline.
When he plays, Reid is the Hammers’ best defender – the problem is he picks up too many cards, limiting his playing time.
The centre-back will miss their next game against United and has already incurred four yellows and red in just ten appearances.
HAVARD NORDTVEIT
Havard Nordtveit may well be public enemy number one among West Ham fans after giving away the stoppage-time penalty.
The Norwegian fouled Son Heung-Min in the box with a clumsy tackle, allowing Harry Kane to keep all three points in North London.
Nordtveit has offered very little in his six appearances this season and looks a far cry from the solid defensive utility player who impressed at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Ironically, Bilic had brought him on for Dimitri Payet to steady the ship with the score at 2-1. The Croatian may have to think twice next time.
DIMITRI PAYET
Of all the players you’d expect to see on a list like this, Dimitri Payet would be the last.
The Frenchman has been playing a little below his exceptional standards lately, however, and this was no more evident than against Spurs.
Payet seemed too willing to release the ball to a teammate rather than run at the home defence and make things happen.
If West Ham are going to get themselves out of this malaise, they need their chief creator pulling the strings rather than hiding from the limelight.
SIMONE ZAZA
Simone Zaza has taken more than his fair share of criticism since joining the Hammers on loan.
The Italian has often been unlucky in finding himself isolated up front, often battling against two or three defenders at a time as he struggles to create anything.
Saturday showed why the West Ham faithful have quite rightly been annoyed with the 25-year-old, however. His touch was poor again and he hesitated to play in Dimitri Payet amid a decent counter-attack before hitting a tame shot at the ‘keeper instead of making it 3-1.
ANDRE AYEW
Andre Ayew may not be match fit after only recently recovering from a thigh injury but he’s running out of time to use that as an excuse.
The Ghanaian has played 166 minutes of football since recovering and should be performing at a higher level than we’ve seen so far.
The £20.5m record signing has been handed chances up front and was expected to provide goals after bagging 12 in his debut season at Swansea. So far he has shown little to suggest he will be breaking his duck anytime soon.
