Cottee: Hammers must step up

Tony Cottee says West Ham’s players must start taking responsibility for the club’s bad start to the season after their 3-0 defeat to Southampton.

Slaven Bilic’s men have lost five of their first six top flight games for the first time in the club’s history and have conceded 16 goals in that sequence for the first time in 49 years.

That comes during problems arising from their move from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium, which has seen a number of crowd issues at the new venue.

While Cottee understands the teething problems, he maintains one area Bilic’s players can make a difference is on the pitch.

Asked if the present situation can get any worse for West Ham, Cottee – who scored 115 goals for the club over two spells – told Sky Sports Now: “I don’t think it can. I was at the game yesterday and I don’t think we’ve got long enough to discuss what’s wrong at the club.

“It’s pretty much a full house at the moment. I do feel a little bit sorry for Slaven Bilic – I think Slaven did a great job last year.

“The start they’ve had is completely different this year but I do think there comes a time where players have to stand up and be counted.

“Some of the defending yesterday was absolutely shocking. They never, ever looked like they were going to score a …

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