Lukasz Fabianski admitted Wolverhampton Wanderers made West Ham United pay for defensive mistakes in Tuesday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Molineux.
Second half goals from Romain Saiss and Raul Jimenez (two) inflicted a third consecutive reverse on Manuel Pellegrini’s Irons, with two of the three coming from set pieces and the third from a late counter attack.
Fabianski honestly reflected that Wolves were more deserving of their win, but admitted West Ham let themselves down defensively, particularly when trying to deal with Joao Moutinho's deliveries into their penalty area.
We’re very disappointed because our defending from set pieces has given them a massive advantage. We got punished for being sloppy
Lukasz Fabianski
“We’re very disappointed, especially conceding from the set pieces,” the goalkeeper said. “I think that’s a part of the game that you work on and prepare. We could have been a lot better when it comes to defending them.
“We’re very disappointed because that has given them a massive advantage. We got punished for being sloppy from set pieces.
“You hope that you can get something out of the game. It didn’t happen today and, to be honest with you, I think the better team won. We have to work harder and be better for the next game.”
The result means West Ham are without a win since beating Arsenal, having lost to AFC Bournemouth and Wolves in the league and AFC Wimbledon in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round.
Fabianski suspects the Irons need to recognise that the rest of the season will be a difficult challenge, and focus on returning to their best form.
“Since the Arsenal game, when we won, something happened to us,” he continued. “I think it’s a mental part of the game where maybe we feel that everything is going to be fine and we’ll have a nice run until the end of the season.
“I think the reality is, if you feel like that, then you’re going to get punished. That’s what has happened in recent weeks and we need to start being more focused on what we are doing during the training sessions and during the games. We just need to really go for it.”
The 33-year-old hurt his right arm in a collision when bravely diving at the feet of Wolves wing-back Matt Doherty in the second half but indicated that, while his arm was sore, he is hopeful of being fit to face Liverpool next Monday evening.
With Marko Arnautovic having been injured moments earlier and then being carried off, and the Hammers having already used two substitutes, Fabianski felt he had no option but to continue.
“At the moment, I’m struggling with my arm in all honesty," he grimaced. "It feels very sore and I can’t really straighten it. It will probably take a couple of days to settle. Hopefully I will be fine.
“From what I’ve seen, there was a third sub already prepared. I had to really continue. There was no other way. Those things happen during the game and you just have to focus on the last minutes, do your best, and forget about the pain.”