Allardyce rues misfiring strikers despite adding to Canaries pain
WEST HAM 2 vs NORWICH 1
WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce warned his misfiring strikers they must be more clinical but praised his side’s mentality after the Hammers ended a poor run of results to consign Norwich to a fourth straight defeat.
Mark Noble’s early penalty set West Ham on their way after Ryan Bennett was deemed to have fouled Winston Reid. Defender Joey O’Brien then doubled the lead on 26 minutes after some impressive link-up play with Noble, side-footing in from 10 yards.
The Hammers held on for only a second win in nine games but Allardyce rued a host of wasted opportunities to extend their lead.
“The disappointing thing was the chances the front lads missed, with balls just flashing across the box needed a tap-in,” said Allardyce.
“We will continue to try to brush up on our finishing techniques with the lads and hope the next time round we are more clinical with our finishing.
“I was wondering if we were going to hold our confidence and performance level at home. It has been really good even though we have had two back-to-back defeats. They showed they have the mentality to cope with whatever is thrown at them.”
The visitors struggled to trouble West Ham before Russell Martin’s fine volley in the last minute provided a nervy finish.
“We are glad that their goal didn’t come a bit earlier but it’s a shame the score did not reflect how well we played. We should have been out of sight,” he added.