Sam Allardyce was not impressed with West Ham’s performance against Arsenal for one frustrating reason.
West Ham showed resilience against the Gunners and were unlucky not to earn a point after a controversial VAR check.
Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equaliser was disallowed after Pablo Felipe committed a debatable foul on David Raya.
However, Allardyce wants to know why Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have not played like that against every opponent.
- READ MORE: Three things VAR missed as PGMOL release footage of Callum Wilson’s disallowed goal for West Ham
How do you feel about the decision now the VAR audio has been released? 😬
What was the correct decision? Goal, no goal or penalty? 🤔
Sam Allardyce questions West Ham’s mentality after Arsenal defeat
West Ham went toe-to-toe with Arsenal in the second half only to fall short after Wilson’s goal was disallowed.
It was a spirited performance that left many questioning how they could be in the relegation zone.
Allardyce has explained that West Ham’s biggest issue has been raising their game against better opponents rather than lesser teams.
If only the Hammers had played similarly well against bottom-half clubs, they would not be in a relegation battle.
“Why give that performance in that game but not give that performance against the bottom six? There’s your problem,” Allardyce said.
“I’m not bothered about Liverpool or Arsenal. If you get a point, that’s great. What I’m bothered about is the bottom eight.
“If you don’t play at that level against the bottom eight, we’re not going to stay in the Premier League, so what’s wrong with you?
“So, their mindset is reacting to the size of the club they’re playing against instead of their mindset being:
“We’re going to go out and produce this performance and demolish these teams, and get three points off them, which is more like six. It’s the old six-pointer, and that’s been West Ham’s problem all year.
Oh wow 👀 How has Tottenham’s draw with Leeds made YOU feel about the relegation battle?!
This weirdly feels like a boost?
“That level of performance should have been a consistent level, and they wouldn’t have been in trouble, and they just haven’t done it.”
Allardyce’s theory will soon be put to the test, as West Ham face two teams (Newcastle and Leeds) in the bottom eight.
They will probably need to win both matches to finish above Tottenham and survive relegation to the Championship.
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