West Ham defender James Collins is refusing to blame an injury crisis for his side’s run of five games in which they have banked just four points and are left nursing the joint worst away scoring record in the Premier League.
The Hammers fired another blank in yesterday’s 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion to leave their travelling goal tally at just five, the same meagre total as Wigan. Yet far from being despondent, Collins praised the spirit of a side that could name only six substitutes, rather the permitted seven, at the Hawthorns.
The Welsh international, a rock in a back line praised by manager Sam Allardyce for the manner in which it frustrated a Baggies team that went into the game boasting the third highest haul of home points this season, said: “We have got a few injuries, but we can’t use that as an excuse.
“You just have to deal with it. If you haven’t got the players, there is nothing you can do about it. We came to West Brom and got a great point, and as long as we keep showing the team spirit and fight we showed in this game we’ll be fine.”
West Ham’s casualty list is so long that only two recognised first teamers in Modibo Maiga and James Tomkins sat on that depleted bench. The rest were development squad players.
“Look at how many were missing,” said Allardyce. “Yossi Benayoun, Andy Carroll, Vaz Te, Jack Collison, Mo Diame, all flair players who, in possession, can create lots of problems for the opposition.
“But we earned our point. When you’ve got that many injuries you’re always worried as a manager because you wonder whether your team is going to be capable of holding out.
“We didn’t create as much as we wanted, but our defensive qualities were exceptionally good. The players take great credit for how well they snuffed out West Brom’s attack.”
James Morrison did manage to find the West Ham woodwork on two occasions, and former Fulham favourite Zoltan Gera stung Jussi Jaaskelainen with one of his trademark long range shots. But the visitors were worth a point from an uninspiring game lacking ideas and marred by far too many mistakes.
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West Ham’s inability to find the net away from the comfort of Upton Park is a worry, but Collins had only praise for striker Carlton Cole’s contribution yesterday. He said: “Losing Andy Carroll would be a blow to anyone, but since Carlton has come in he has been superb.
“Against West Brom he spent a lot of time up front on his own, but he held the ball up well and brought the other boys into play. Any team is going to miss a player like Andy, but all credit to Carlton. He always works hard, he certainly worked his socks off in this game.”
Allardyce confirmed he will be looking to reinforce his depleted squad in the January transfer window. He said: “If there is anybody who can enhance or better the team then we would like to go for them. Whether that’s short-term or long-term depends who is available and who we can get to come in.
“But our main priority is to get our injured players back.”
