Disappointed Randolph laments slow start

Darren Randolph admitted West Ham United were shell-shocked by another slow start at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, as Barclays Premier League new boys Bournemouth made off with the spoils.  

On his league debut for the Hammers, the 28-year-old stopper was blameless for the Cherries’ four goals and even made eye-catching stops from Max Gradel and Marc Pugh along the way. 

But that came as little consolation to the Republic of Ireland international, who was naturally despondent after the Hammers’ second home defeat on the spin.       

“The one thing we said before the game was don't start like we did last week, and yet we did,” he told West Ham TV. 

“No matter who you play against, if you give teams a two-goal lead, it's hard to get back. You work as hard as you can to get back into the game and sometimes it's not enough, it's too late. 

“It took a while for the boys to realise what was happening, trying to get to grips with everything. We regrouped at half time and even though we conceded two more, we were a lot more solid, I think.

“There is plenty of fight, it would be nice to start the game like that and go two nil up, instead of having to chase the game and make everything hard for ourselves.”   

Having hauled themselves off the canvas and back to two apiece, it was doubly disappointing to then fall behind once more. And Randolph later conceded that Pugh’s goal, the Cherries’ third, was probably the killer blow. 

“We did so well getting it back to 2-2, but we couldn't even hold on to a point. It’s very disappointing.

“The place was rocking at that point and we needed that next attempt on goal, or that next goal, to go on. Losing the third took the sting out of everything.” 

Though the result ultimately went against the Hammers at home, Randolph was nonetheless impressed by the Claret and Blue army and shared in their frustration.  

“The fans here are great once they see that everyone's trying and everyone's putting in a shift, they'll get behind you and give you that backing.

“At 2-2, we had their backing. The fans were right there with us. Yes, they showed their frustration in the first half and they had every right to. We regrouped at half time, we got back into the game and they were fully behind us.”