West Ham Fan View: 3 things we learned from the defeat at Southampton

Southampton 3-2 West Ham. It was another poor display by the Hammers and the pressure is starting to build. Here are three things that we learnt from the defeat…

Defensive issues continue

We had already been hit with bad news moments before kick-off with Winston Reid being ruled out of the game. But what followed during the game was inexcusable. We had one of the worst defences in the league last season and Slaven Bilic’s tactics have to be questioned. It appears that nothing has changed since last season and it is far too easy for our opponents to score.

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Jose Fonte put in a poor performance against his former club, having lost Manolo Gabbiadini for Southampton’s opener and giving away a penalty. When we thought we salvaged a point, it was another poor defensive action which cost us the game with Pablo Zabaleta giving Southampton another penalty. We have already conceded seven goals in our first two games and there is now too much pressure on ourselves, too early on.

One summer signing shines, while another disappoints

It was only 38 minutes into the game and many West Ham fans thought that the game was over. But Javier Hernandez showed why he was brought back to the Premier League. He showed why he is regarded as a great goalscorer. We know that he may not always be heavily involved in the game but it is his ability to appear in the box at the right time which makes him so important. Hernandez was quick to react to Fraser Forster’s save on two occasions which saw him get two easy goals. We now have a true goalscorer on our hands.

READ MORE: West Ham Fan View: Have Hammers bought poorly – again?

Like Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic was a big-money signing though he was nothing short of disappointing this afternoon. Not only should he have put us in the lead, he got a straight red card for elbowing Jack Stephens. This harmed us for the rest of the game and we are now without our record signing for the next three games.

Declan Rice impresses

Bilic made a big call in his first game when he started Reece Oxford against Arsenal and he surprised us once again against Southampton. Declan Rice was handed his first start in the Premier League at only 18 years old.

We saw him come on in the 61st minute against Manchester United and he did not look out of place. Rice put in a good performance today in a tough game, looking assured on the ball in midfield. It would not be a surprise to see him start next week.