Bilic's tactical deficiencies cost West Ham the win at Crystal Palace
West Ham were out to secure their fourth successive Premier League win at Selhurst Park on Saturday and were within seconds of a vital three points to help pull away from the relegation zone. Having they themselves come from 2-0 down to secure a positive result in midweek, the Hammers were pegged back by Crystal Palace, despite being 2-0 up at the interval. Chicharito opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a well-taken first time finish that was too powerful for Julian Speroni to keep out.
The Argentine had no chance of keeping out West Ham’s second as Andre Ayew rifled past the experienced shotstopper from 20 yards. The visitors were good value for their lead, but the deficit was halved five minutes into the second half. Angelo Ogbonna fouled Andros Townsend, leaving Bobby Madley no choice but to point to the spot. Luka Miliojevic made no mistake from 12 yards. The comeback was complete right at the death as Wilfried Zaha found the bottom corner from a tight angle to earn a share of the spoils in what proved to be an entertaining affair at Palace.
A draw, though, suits neither team in their respective quest to stave off relegation. Crystal Palace foot the table after a dire start to the season, while West Ham remain just one point above the drop zone. There appears to be signs of progress for Palace under Roy Hodgson, but West Ham quickly reverted to type after taking the initiative. After a 3-0 loss to Brighton last week, it was rumoured that Slaven Bilic had two games to save his job at the London Stadium. The resolve shown to win 3-2 at Wembley in midweek certainly gave him breathing space, but questions will again be asked of the Croat after West Ham conspired to draw 2-2 on Saturday.
Bilic didn’t help himself by withdrawing the defensively solid Pablo Zabaleta for Michail Antonio midway through the second half. Considering the Argentine’s experience and winning mentality, he was the ideal player to help see out the win. Antonio, who is still short of fitness, offers a further attacking threat, but his defensive shortcomings were evident upon his introduction as Zaha routinely got the better of the West Ham man with ease.
However, it was another example of West Ham’s inability to show the appropriate character when they do concede to help see out matches and put points on the board. Granted, they came from two goals down to win in midweek, but that was the exception rather than the rule. The capitulation routinely shown when they do concede is a main reason why they are in such a perilous position in the table and presents another headache for Bilic and an issue he needs to address, if given the chance to do so.
West Ham’s defensive problems are a long standing issue under Bilic with the east London side committing more errors that have resulted in an opposition goal (25) than any other Premier League team during his reign. By shirking further work on the field to improve their woes at the back leaves West Ham lingering above the relegation zone and has ensured West Ham have failed to push on after Bilic’s successful debut campaign in charge of the Hammers, where West Ham conceded 51 goals, the second most of teams to finish in the top half that term.
They threw money at the problem rather than opted to work on the core reason for such a laborious backline and, as a result, West Ham are disjointed in the defensive third, particularly when they concede, with the team folding time and time again. Bilic is back under pressure once more and with his contract coming to an end at the end of the season, it’s unlikely to be renewed. Further capitulations like the one seen at Selhurst Park could see him leave the club before his deal expires next year.
