West Ham’s defeat to Oxford has proven costly in more ways than one

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham are currently in the midst of a really poor run of form.

The Hammers made an excellent start to the season. And after beating Manchester United on September 22nd, they were temporarily sitting in third spot in the Premier League table.

Everything has gone downhill from then, however.

And there might just be a simple reason why.

Following West Ham’s win over Manchester United, Manuel Pellegrini’s men travelled to League One side Oxford United for their Carabao Cup third round tie.

The Chilean made nine changes for the game. And the Hammers were subsequently battered 4-0 by their lower league opposition.

Before their League Cup exit, West Ham were in the midst of a six-game unbeaten run. And all the momentum they had built up was blown away in one swift motion.

Since that defeat to Oxford, the Hammers have gone four games without a win.

And in hindsight, Pellegrini will surely be wishing that he had gone with a stronger side for their Carabao Cup third round tie.

West Ham followed their defeat to Oxford with a draw against Bournemouth, defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, and another draw with Sheffield United.

Had the Hammers progressed through their Carabao Cup third round tie, they would have been riding high on confidence in their last four league fixtures.

For an experienced manager, Pellegrini really did make a schoolboy error fielding a weakened side at the Kassam Stadium.

And it might end up costing West Ham in the Premier League in the long run.