West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen slammed his sideâs performance as ânot good enoughâ as they slipped further into relegation trouble with a 2-1 defeat at Leeds.
The visitors were 2-0 down within 15 minutes through goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon and failed to recover from that poor start, with Matheus Fernandesâ goal in added time not enough to stop a seventh Premier League defeat of the season.
As ever, skipper Bowen was one of the Ironsâ few bright sparks and he called on his team to show more after some hapless defending leading to the two early goals.
He told Sky Sports: âObviously not good enough. We started well against Brentford and we wanted to do similar.
âBut the way we defende the goal was nearly poor. Then we nearly get back into it, the keeper makes a good save from my attempt and then from a corner again.
âItâs just not brave enough, not doing the jobs good enough until the end.
âWe get a goal back, itâs disallowed. It always felt like one goal and you always get a bit of confidence when you score.
âWe did that, it was too late. Not good enough.â
Bowen: âWe have to accept weâre in trouble nowâ
West Ham are only three games into Nuno Espirito Santoâs reign but the mood continues to sour at the club, with Bowen admitting the mood is low in the dressing room.
He added: âThere could be a lot of reasons why. But the dressing room when youâre second-bottom of the league and won one game all season is low.
âIâve said for a few weeks now coming out and doing interviews: the only way this is going to change is if players step up, roll their sleeves up and get ready for the fight.
âWe need more of that week in, week out. When things arenât going so well, itâs easy to hide and be scared but as easy it is to say, itâs hard to do. We have to do that, thatâs my only mindset.Â
âAnd thatâs what Iâve been saying to the players: roll your sleeves up and dig in, because nobody is going to give this to us.
âThis is the Premier League and we need to really pull our finger out. As weâre in a real situation. We have to face the reality of that, the sooner it starts hitting everyone, it needs to change.Â
âYou canât come out here and say anything different. You canât say anything positive or anything in that way. You have to face the reality of where we are: second-bottom and weâre in trouble now. We have to accept that.â
Rodon: Momentum key in relegation fight
Leedsâ impressive first season back in the Premier League continued on Friday night, as they climbed up to 13th â six points clear of the relegation zone.
Rodon headed home Leedsâ second goal early on and the defender was delighted with how the hosts responded to last weekendâs difficult 2-0 loss against fellow promoted side Burnley.
The defender told Sky Sports: âIt was important to show a reaction after last weekend. We werenât happy with last weekend and we came out the traps early. I thought the boys showed grat intensity
âEverything is difficult in this league. Weâve learnt that especially with the dying moments. Frustrated to concede at the end but happy with the three points.Â
âEveryone has seen the home support is amazing. It is important to keep the momentum. Delighted to get back to winning ways.â
