What can you say to the fans after that performance and result?
Look, we’ve probably risen expectations greatly in the last few years, being in Europe, sixth and seventh in the Premier League. I can understand disappointment and their frustration that they can’t really understand why it’s like this. But sometimes it’s the journey you have to take when you’re trying to climb the tree and trying to get better. Every so often you get little bits of blip and we’ve certainly got one at the moment. But what we’ve achieved in the last couple of years, avoiding relegation three years ago and then building, probably means everyone’s a bit disappointed, which they should be.
Do your past achievements feel irrelevant at the moment?
That’s right. That’s football management for you isn’t it? If you look at it, normally the ones with the clubs that stick with it tend to get the results.
Can you see any sign of there being a light at the end of the tunnel?
I’ve got to say, I don’t think we deserved to lose. We didn’t play that well in the first half but there wasn’t an awful lot in the game. Second half we played a lot better, probably created a lot of chances, made a lot of opportunities where maybe we could have scored but we don’t look as if we’re clean or clinical in the final third at the moment, whether that was a strike of a ball or a header. And then we concede a goal where we’re caught on a counter-attack. I don’t think today’s been a day where we’ve come here and been well outplayed, I thought we played pretty well in the second-half and warranted getting something. But at the moment, the same story is that we’ve been struggling to score goals and get those results.
How damaging was it to drop into the bottom three with that result?
There was always a chance we could be there, you always can be. We have to get ready for the next one and move on. I think the players today tried, they gave their lot to try and get the result, they were at it right until the end. There’s lot of things I’m really pleased about, their attitude, their commitment. What we’ve got to try and do is tidy up on quality again and find a way of getting some goals because that’s a problem.
You bought Michail Antonio in instead of Gianluca Scamacca. Are you worried everything you are trying isn’t working at the moment?
Gianluca hadn’t really played and hadn’t trained enough an awful lot, so I always knew. I thought Micky played well at Brentford, so I was quite happy to always give him another go. A bit of competition between them as well and obviously, I need one of them to start firing. Today, I chose Mick and I thought in the main, Mick did pretty good in some aspects. The bit we really need is the goal.
Do you fear the atmosphere next week against Everton, considering how big that game is?
No, but I think what we’ve given West Ham supporters in the last few years, I hope they’ll give us back when we’re in a difficult period. They gave us back everything the players and the staff have given the club in the last couple of years, I am sure that will help us because you always want the backing of your home support mainly We’ve always had it, so let’s hope that continues.
Do you still feel you are the right man to keep West Ham safe?
It happens. If you said we had been well beaten, well out of the game, then you might have a different story. But it was incredibly close. Premier League games are really close. Nip and tuck. And it looks like whatever way it goes, it goes one way or the other. Today is goes against us. I thought we warranted more than a defeat today.
Are you fearful of your position, considering your recent support from the board?
When you’re in this industry, you’ve got to win games and I’m not winning enough games. I’m not stupid.
Were you apprehensive about starting two left-footed centre-backs together in Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd?
No, it’s always a big consideration when you start two left-footers but it doesn’t seem a big consideration if you start two right-footers. Wales have been playing with two left-footers at different times. We didn’t have a great deal of choice. Kurt is back on the bench and starting to get back to fitness. Angelo had warranted another start. Nayef we’re trying to integrate into the Premier League – he played at the right side for Morocco at the World Cup.
Is there any update on Craig Dawson’s future?
I’ve got no comment to make on Craig Dawson.
Do you still feel you have plenty of credit in the bank after the success you have previously had here?
I would never look at myself and say, “I’ve got credit in the bank”. I know you have to earn the right to be in football management. To manage in this league is a big, big thing. Lots of people are after jobs in this league. I’m not daft. I’ve got enough games in it (my career) to understand you’ve got to do well enough to keep your job and we have to try to do better than we’re doing at the moment.
Last time West Ham went seven league games without a win was during your time. You managed to keep them up. Is that in your mind? You’ve done it before.
I definitely know we can do it. We are definitely good enough to stay away from it. But, I am getting to the point where I am saying “this is happening too often” if you said we were getting beaten and out of our depth, but that’s not the case. What we are finding is we are not being able to take opportunities and turning them into goals. Today was another one of those occasions.
Do you think you have been unlucky this season with injuries and bedding new signings in, that has affected your league form?
Those things all play a part but I am not going to be an excuses guy. If you are asking for mitigating circumstances as to the reasons why, I do think we have tried to bed a few in. We were without centre halves, even today, we probably might not be exactly how we would line up. We have been like that all season. But again, I don’t want to be seen to be using that as any form of excuse, because I’m not.
