Stephen Dunmoye
Aston Villa boss, Steven Gerrard has reacted to the clamours of the club’s supporters after his defeat to West Ham, which made it three losses from four games this season.
He noted that none of the supporters of the Club are more as frustrated as he is, adding that losing three games in four matches at the beginning of the season is a slap on his face.
Gerrard and Villa were booed at full-time at Villa Park after Pablo Fornals’ deflected strike gave the Hammers their first win of the campaign.
“I have got two ears and I heard the fans’ frustration and last time I checked my ears were still working so, yeah, I pick up on everything.”
“I’ve been in the game long enough. If you lose three games out of four it is not the start the supporters wanted and certainly not the start that I wanted, so of course I understand.”
A third defeat of the season adds to the pressure on Gerrard, who may be without Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian was forced off with an injury.
Villa looked the more dangerous side during a forgettable first half and had a goal disallowed after Lucas Digne’s corner went out of play before Ezri Konsa tapped home.
However, Villa struggled to kick on and failed to create clear-cut chances after Fornals put West Ham ahead.
Gerrard says he is “all in” as he attempts to rejuvenate his squad in time to face the top two – Arsenal and Manchester City – in the next two games.
“We certainly share our supporters’ frustration and there is no one more frustrated than me,”
“The only thing we can do now is act and try to put it right. I and my staff are all in to make that happen but it has to come from within the players as well and the players have got to really stay together and find results now to move us up the table.”
“We’re frustrated at the moment and we haven’t put enough points on the board, certainly for the players we have got in the dressing room.”
“Our return hasn’t been enough, I’m aware of that and in terms of moving forward we have got a choice.”
“We either feel sorry for ourselves and it continues or we roll our sleeves up, stick together and try to put it right. I need to lead that and that is what I’ll try to do.”