Sam Allardyce – left fuming at the 3-1 home defeat by Southampton – believes the team may have got too cocky.
Allardyce turned on his players, who he said were too confident after a win over Crystal Palace.
He said: “The expectation after the Palace game was high and we just didn’t live up to it.
“Maybe they were a bit too cocky. Maybe they had listened to the praise too much. The outside world is not what you should listen to if you want to be successful as a footballer.
“They just need to stay focused on their responsibilities.
“When you look across the world of sport at the top level, most are now looking at how the minds work and how you can make minds act in a positive manner.”
He added West Ham lacked leadership — and will look to new-boy Alex Song in Kevin Nolan’s absence.
Allardyce said: “Other players look up to him. They will all be lifted by a player like him.
“If you let anxiety turn to fear you get under performance.
“The next game will create anxiety again.”
He’s absolutely right. The crystal palace game got everyone’s hopes up. Teams like southampton and Aston villa will have nasty shocks too if they start believing they are world beaters after their first few games. The world will come crashing down around their ankles soon enough. On the other hand they might win the league. The crazy world of football eh?
Wonderful statement,
I did not see a team that was too cocky………too defensive (for a home team) lack lustre, un-cohesive, lacked creativity and a yard slower to ever ball. Cocky Na!
To also state that Song is going to provide leadership is a bit disrespectful to Noble, a Hammer through and through who know has to accept the “manager” is looking to instigate a ‘Loanee’ on his way to Galatasary to lead the team……………..!!! Tactful Sam
The way we played against saints,was abismal to say the least (apart from Nobles goal).Noble is not a very vocal lad and leads by example.Jenkinson says that Song is the same,so the more players we have,like them would be an advantage.Kouyate plays with his heart on his sleeve,so with these three players in the team,i reckon the rest will feel obliged to give it their all.C.O.Y.I.