Dropped points at home must stop if West Ham are to progress

West Ham were in a promising position 3 games ago, but poor home form has stifled early hopes. Their control of a game at home must improve if this season is to bear any fruit.

Given Sheffield United’s away record so far this season, Saturday’s result wasn’t the worst imaginable. But the fact we again had a goal advantage and failed to convert in our home stadium is unforgivable. West Ham should be able to control a game against this level of opponents, and we need to convert this far more often than we currently are. Dropping 5 points from winning positions is not good enough at home.

If you look at all teams that do well in the Premier League, their home record is what sustains them. It’s the regular three points they can grind out. The lead they never relinquish. For the Hammers we don’t seem to understand what to do once we score, how to close out the match and push it beyond our opponents reach. And it’s not for lack of opportunity. And it’s not just the forwards who need to step up.

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If you’re a stats man, like me, then you’ll probably be aware that according to xG we outperformed Sheffield United fairly comprehensively. Their only strong chance was saved by Roberto early on, whereas the Hammers created multiple goal scoring opportunities that really should have been put away. Snodgrass hit the post, Anderson probably should have squared to Haller for a simple chance and Cresswell should have hit Yarmolenko’s beautifully disguised cross first time. This wasn’t a lack of chances, but abject finishing. The fact that Haller didn’t get a single shot off all game is also a bit of an issue, given how effective he’s shown himself to be at close range.

But in defence, I didn’t particularly enjoy watching us try and deal with our opponents once we went ahead either. With something to defend we seemed shaky, and without Fredericks to keep the opposition’s left honest they were able to push up and up and keep us under pressure. So I think that one falls at Pellegrini’s feet, because that wasn’t a change I thought was necessary or useful. And Roberto…that should never have gone in. With Fabianski between the sticks we win that match and this article doesn’t exist…but it wouldn’t exist if we’d scored again either. So we can’t just blame our backup keeper. The whole side needs to improve.

Next. Is Pellegrini using his subs wrong?. dark

Next up is Newcastle at home, and a perfect opportunity to control a game and really show we can win at home. They’re struggling for any fluency and if we go ahead I can’t see them having too much confidence to come back into the match. If we go ahead and drop points again…we’re in real danger of this become a habit that could cost us dearly in every competition. Pellegrini will have highlighted this match as must win…

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