On the final day of the Premier League season, West Ham were relegated as rivals Tottenham defeated Everton at home to retain their top-flight status.
West Ham were relegated on Sunday (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Wayne Rooney has questioned the dedication and drive of West Ham’s players after their side struggled following their relegation to the Championship.
West Ham faced rivals Tottenham in a two-team survival shootout on the final day of the Premier League season. The Hammers needed to beat Leeds and were hoping former manager David Moyes’ Everton would give them credit for an away win against Spurs.
Unfortunately for West Ham, despite beating Leeds 3-0 at the London Stadium, Tottenham’s win over Everton meant they were relegated.
And with West Ham and their supporters having to digest relegation and prepare for the Championship, Rooney gave his underperforming side a boost with Match of the Day.
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Rooney said: “I’ve watched a lot of West Ham games this season, which is disappointing for the players, but I don’t think they’ve put in enough effort.”
“I’ve seen players walk back and not get close to the ball to make a tackle or stop a cross. That’s the right margin in the Premier League.”
Alan Shearer also criticized West Ham’s players, insisting they have no qualms about the fact they will be playing Championship football next season despite accumulating 39 points, the highest of any relegated side since 2011.
“No, it’s not that (bad luck). After 38 games, you can’t be unlucky. In fact, it’s no surprise that it went down,” he said.
Nuno Espirito Santo could not save the Hammers (Image: Godfrey Pitt/Action Plus/Shutterstock)
“They’ve been really down for a long time and in the end what happens at the top of a football club is reflected on the pitch and that’s what happened with West Ham, I always say.”
“They don’t defend well enough, they don’t score enough goals. And at the end of the day, their recruiting has been really, really poor over the years. So, no, they’re not unlucky.”
Shearer also blamed the club’s hierarchy for shoddy recruitment, adding: “Look at the three years since David Moyes left. They’ve had 10 players signed for more than £25m.”
“Incredible amounts of money are being spent and we are not getting value for money.
“Recruitment is a very important, big job, and it’s clear that it’s affected them negatively over the past three years.”
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