West Ham United fans are furious at Jack Wilshere’s comments following the 5-0 defeat at home against Manchester City on Saturday, kicking off the 2019-20 season in the worst way possible.
Speaking to whufc.com, Wilshere sounded very upbeat despite the thumping, in which he was replaced with no more than an hour gone:
People can react how they want, but we need to be strong and we’ve got strong spirit and mentality in that dressing room. Of course, we didn’t want to lose 5-0, but we need to get ready for Brighton, as that’s now when our season starts. We need to take the positives, because we did compete, for me, with the best team in the league for the first 30 minutes.
Fairly, the Hammers were matching Pep Guardiola’s side for large periods in the first half, but ultimately collapsed after the first goal went in – and then came the second, third, fourth and fifth.
It’s typical of the more experienced players to come out following a result to address fans, but many have unsurprisingly reacted very badly to Wilshere’s post-match comments.
For some, his words seemed to be read off a piece of copy used following every defeat the club suffers.
Twitter: @WestHamUtd Here they come…..come on @WestHamUtd Wheel them out.. .’We go again’, ‘It’ll be different next time’,… https://t.co/ZGZRFvSXE4 (@spencermatt)
Twitter: @WestHamUtd That tweet is just kept in drafts and rolled out every other week lol (@theboleynboys1)
Twitter: @WestHam blah blah blah usual rubbish from the players after a defeat (@stevecatman)
Looking ahead to the Brighton game, some fans aren’t exactly thinking positively following the Seagulls’ impressive 3-0 opening day win at Watford.
Twitter: @WestHamUtd Full backs gonna get killed again.
(@Zibbygoals)
Twitter: @WestHam We’ll be 2-0 down after an hour again
Read West Ham’s verdict
It must never be an easy job speaking to supporters after a defeat, nevermind one of such crushing fashion on the opening day of the season where we’re meant to be at our most optimistic.
It’s good to see Wilshere and the squad seem to be focused on putting it right in the trip to Brighton next weekend though, and we should see a much-improved display across 90 minutes.
West Ham fans’ anger is fully justified though, no matter how good Man City are, and vast improved won’t just be demanded, but it’s needed.
As Wilshere says, the season starts at the AMEX.
