Robert Snodgrass admitted the Hammers were left frustrated by their narrow 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night.
Glenn Murray’s first half goal proved to be the difference at Amex Stadium, despite strong second half pressure from the visitors.
West Ham could not convert their 68 per cent possession after the break into that all-important goal and Snodgrass, who played the final seven minutes from the bench, acknowledged the visitors needed to be better at the final moment.
He explained: “In the second half we were miles better, but the way we started the game – and the manager touched on it at half time – wasn’t at the standard that we’ve set over the last three or four games.
“We had a sticky four games to start off with, but we seem to have turned the corner and one lapse maybe has probably cost us.
The first half wasn't at the standard we've set ourselves over the last three or four games
Robert Snodgrass
“Brighton are a good side, they’re organised and have beaten Man Utd here. They will obviously give a few teams a good game this year, but we need to look at ourselves and you can’t play the first half like that if you want to win games.
“We’re disappointed and if you can’t win an away game you have to make sure you don’t lose it.”