The Hammers have shot themselves in the foot from corner kicks this season after a couple of years when posing serious threats from flag set pieces.
But – as was demonstrated against Southampton at the weekend – it is not simply the absence of Craig Dawson which creates an issue.
At St Mary’s as was the case in earlier games the delivery from corners is simply not good enough and David Moyes is very conscious it is something that needs putting right quickly.
However the manager admits how difficult it has become with fixtures coming think and fast to sort things in the area and elsewhere.
He told reporters: “We have been looking for better deliveries. We are getting blocked at the moment which is an issue.
We don’t feel like the deliveries have been as good as they have been. the runs not quite as good, not attacked the ball.
Nearly every Prem team now has a coach who takes set pieces, which means teams and players are getting a bit wiser and a bit better defensively and attacking.
We are trying to get more time to practice. You are only just back from a game on Sunday and you are asking them to go back to practice taking 35 corners from each side. You are trying not to get them too tired.
Lots come into your thinking and those coming to head it are not prepared or ready so it means your general practice time is down, but I would never use it as an excuse.
It is our job to find a way to get better and we are trying to score more and hopefully we will do.”