Jose Fonte says players to blame for West Ham's recent struggles, not Slaven Bilic
Monday 3 April 2017 16:02, UK
Jose Fonte insists West Ham’s players and not manager Slaven Bilic should shoulder the majority of the blame for the club’s recent poor performances.
The Hammers suffered their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday as Hull City came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at the KCOM Stadium.
The result leaves West Ham without a win since February 4 and the club's board were forced to issue a statement on Sunday backing Bilic.
And Fonte says it is time for the players to take responsibility for underperforming.
"We are all behind him obviously," Fonte told Sky Sports News HQ. "[We have to take] the majority of the blame. We have to take responsibility ourselves.
"The players are the ones on the pitch, so we have got to come up with the goods and help not only the manager but ourselves and make the fans proud.
"It is up to us to work hard together as one and move on from this situation".
The 33-year-old defender has only been at the club since January, when he completed an £8m move from Southampton, and he admits he is yet to find his best form.
"I haven't been as good as I perhaps was before but I am working to get there," Fonte said. "Nothing is guaranteed in this league."
Saturday saw West Ham fall to 14th in the table - six points clear of the relegation zone - and knows it is imperative for West Ham to halt their slide quickly.
"A couple of wins will get you safe or three wins but if you don't win the next two or three games you are in a dogfight," Fonte said.
"We are aware of the situation of course. We are not happy with where we are and we are not happy with what has been happening.
"We have to change that and to start we have a big game against Arsenal on Wednesday and we have to get something out of that."
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