Jack Wilshere says West Ham United were ‘devastated’ to lose 2-1 at home to AFC Bournemouth on his London Stadium debut.
The midfielder was part of a performance that was eye-catching, creative and, at times, dominant, but defensive shortcomings meant it was the Cherries and not the Hammers who departed with the three points.
West Ham were the better team before half-time and went in ahead through Marko Arnautovic’s penalty, but conceded twice after the break to Callum Wilson and Steve Cook to relinquish their advantage and remain bottom of the table.
“We are a team and we win as a team and we lose as a team,” said Wilshere. “I felt we controlled the first half and parts of the second half as well, but you can’t give players that kind of space in this league or you’ll get punished. The second goal was a set piece that we’re not happy about.
“We can take the positives from the game that we kept the ball well at times and, on another day, we’d go in two or three-nil up, but it wasn’t to be.”
Obviously, the dressing room is devastated because we should have come away with something from the game, but we have to go again
Jack Wilshere
While the Hammers did enjoy more possession than their opponents and matched Eddie Howe’s side for chances created, there were times when Bournemouth carried a greater threat and Lukasz Fabianski had to be at his best to keep out a succession of goalbound shots.
With four home debutants starting and three more being introduced off the bench, Wilshere admitted that the Hammers have not yet found their rhythm as a team and knows they will need to find it quickly if they are to get their season up and running.
“We have got a lot of new players and we need to gel. At this level in this league, people aren’t given time, so we have to do it quick and all tuck in this week.
“We started well and we all wanted to win this week and we felt we were good enough to win. Obviously, the dressing room is devastated because we should have come away with something from the game, but we have to go again.
“That’s the thing about this league, that you haven’t got much time to be down. You have to be back on the training pitch and go again.”
Next up for the Hammers is a trip to Wilshere’s former club Arsenal, who are also bedding in a new manager in Unai Emery and a number of new players.
“It won’t be easy next weekend,” the No19 observed. “We’ve had a tough start but you have to be willing to fight against anyone in this league and win your duels and earn your right to play, and I felt we did that at times.
“We played as a team, but we let in two sloppy goals.”