West Ham United drew 0-0 with AFC Bournemouth, with the host’s failing to take their chances. The result keeps the Hammers in the bottom three, having missed the chance to take advantage of 20 total shots to score a goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side created more than enough chances and defended resolutely, but could not find the all important goal that would have drawn them level with Nottingham Forest at the time. Despite the missed opportunities, the West Ham boss told the club’s official website that he was proud of his team’s performance:
“It was a tough game, we knew that Bournemouth is a good team, I think we played a good game.
“The boys competed really well, we were organised, we didn’t allow too many chances in terms of Bournemouth, the way they play. Of course, when the game opened up, it could go both ways, but that is the risk that we acknowledge and we wanted to take.
“But overall, it was a good performance, and I’m sad about the result because we almost got there. The chances that we created could have been different, but I’m proud of the way the boys worked.
“There are many things that we are improving and today we showed that we are resilient, we were compact, we didn’t allow chances, we had good possessions.”
West Ham’s quick starts
Under Nuno, West Ham have made a habit of quick starts. There was no change to that mindset against Bournemouth either. The Hammers boss stated it is a huge part of what he is trying to build with the Irons, with the home side having several chances in the first five minutes of yesterday’s game.
“I think it’s about being able to always really start well and score first. All the chances at the beginning of the game are ours. That was the message, to start strong on the front foot, and the boys did it.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but we keep the composure, we keep organised, knowing that when you play against Bournemouth and you lose your balance and the game becomes like a basketball game, it becomes really dangerous.”
Defensive strengths
Over the last three games, West Ham have been improving defensively. Mads Hermanson has taken over the starting goalkeeper position and Axel Disasi has proved an able deputy to the then-suspended, Jean Clair Todibo.
The 0-0 with AFC Bournemouth is the club’s second Premier League clean sheet in three weeks, with Nuno stating that they need to keep them coming if they want to achieve their goal of staying up:
“I think we are improving defensively, I think we are improving. Recently, we’ve been showing that it’s not all about the back line. It starts with our striker, our shape, our organisation, reducing gaps, closing the lines, pressing really strong.
“It takes a lot of energy from ourselves, we press high, we chase. It’s about that, it’s not always trying to contain, but the way we press, the boys are working really hard.
“Like I said, it’s not about our goalkeeper and back line, it starts with our striker.
“Mads gives us this option also to play from the back. I think the team is acknowledging and realising that we have an extra man that can help us.
“He’s doing well, he’s doing well, but our priority for our goalkeeper is that he does his job and once again, I think he did a good game.”
