Gianfranco Zola has backed his players to come back stronger after the disappointment of a 2-1 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
Early goals from Kevin Davies and Jack Wilshere had the Hammers on the back-foot and the home side found it difficult to force their way back into the contest. A second-half red card for Tamir Cohen paved the way for a late rally but, despite Alessandro Diamanti's eighth goal of the season, it was not to be for Zola's men. Click here for the match report.
"I'm disappointed," the manager said. "I wasn't expecting that. Nobody was. The way we started the game determined the result.
"They were better than us and took advantage of their opportunities. In the second half it was difficult, we tried until the end but it's our fault and I have no complaints."
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The early goals shone the spotlight on the Hammers defence but the manager reminded his team had been steadfast at home of late, with four clean sheets in the league at the Boleyn Ground. "When [Johan] Elmander and Davies are playing like that it's not easy," he added, before suggesting his youngsters like 20-year-old James Tomkins would learn from the experience.
"They are difficult to handle. James has potential. He needs to work on his game. We had opportunities to come back after the goal but by then it was too late. We lost points today and I told the players we have to go and get them back somewhere else."
Although not one for excuses, Zola said his preparation had been affected by being without five of Saturday's starters during the international break, while Jack Collison did not appear at all after a knock on Wales duty. Just after half-time, Julien Faubert was substituted with a muscle problem while Junior Stanislas - who hit the bar at the death - also took a blow.
"I must say that after every international game you never know what you are going to get. It can be good it can be good. It is difficult to assess the squad in one day's training. It is disappointing because it came before a very important game."
The Hammers head west to Chelsea next weekend and then face Arsenal at the Emirates but Zola is not overawed by the challenge. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City head to the Boleyn before the end of the month and much can happen in the next four fixtures.
"I don't care if we're playing Chelsea or Arsenal. Last year we got a point in both games, so you never know. I'm not going to go there already beaten, that's for sure," he said. "In football you never know and I am not going to give up.
"I know we lost a game but there is a lot to play for and we have learned a lot from this game. I want more focus, I want more from the beginning to set the tone. We have to do that. We have to keep our chin up, being down won't help the situation."