West Ham United were dealt a 4-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, leaving many Hammers fans in the Transfer Tavern crying into their pints.
Harry Kane’s brace and two fine goals from defenders Kyle Walker and Toby Alderweireld means West Ham are now without a win in three games, following an away defeat to Watford and a home draw with Everton.
Slaven Bilic’s men had initally started the season with a bang and gained impressive victories over Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, but have recently been stuttering. The recent long term injury to star-man Dimitri Payet certainly hasn’t helped things either.
But if West Ham are to improve on last season, then their squad will have to cope when the big players are missing. Indeed, if they want to cope with getting into the Champions League, they can’t just be relying on the brilliance of Payet, and the absence of the Frenchman means many can now step up.
Here are FIVE West Ham players who simply need to improve……
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!
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James Tomkins
Tomkins had a poor game by his standards on Sunday, giving the ball away cheaply for Harry Kane to fire home Tottenham’s third goal and all but put the game to bed.
Though Tomkins has been improving every year, Sunday’s four goals means they have now conceded 20 in the league, which is the joint most out of the top six with Leicester City.
West Ham fans will be hoping Tomkins and partner Winston Reid can tighten up in the next few games, in order to get the Hammers back to their brilliant best.
Carl Jenkinson
Jenkinson would probably admit that his second loan spell at Upton Park has not been quite as productive as last years, and he knows he can do better.
The Arsenal loanee was poor against his old rivals Tottenham Hotspur, and he certainly won’t be convincing Arsene Wenger than he can cut it at the Emirates.
Slaven Bilic may do well to bring some more compeition at right back, because currently it seems Jenkinson can put in a bad game without the risk of losing his place.
Andy Carroll
Carroll’s brilliant winner against Chelsea last month was a prime example of how unplayable the England forward can be on his day.
However, the ex-Liverpool and Newcastle United man was quiet on Sunday and simply needs to be more consistent.
Carroll has recently been linked with a move to Sunderland to reunite with his former boss Sam Allardyce, as his chances of getting on the plane to Euro 2016 decrease by the minute.
Mauro Zarate
It is perhaps unfair to say Zarate needs to improve as such, as truth be told he has been in and out of the team at times.
However, with Payet out, this is the perfect opportunity for Zarate to step up in his absence and make an attacking midfield spot his own.
Zarate has notched some important goals already this season, but Hammers will need him to step up a gear if they want to regain their fine form.
Victor Moses
A similar situation to Zarate, Moses hasn’t been terrible by any means, but he will also need to step up and give Slaven Bilic a selection headache.
It is a big year for the Chelsea loanee, and if he can succeed at Upton Park, he could finally settle down and enjoy his football there.
By some miracle he could still make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge, though it seems unlikely while Mourinho is at the helm.
