Dinos Mavropanos says hard work and deeper concentration when defending balls into our penalty area are key to improving West Ham United’s fortunes.
The Irons were caught out from a set piece again in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace, adding to an unwanted record of goals conceded from corners so far this season.
And, after levelling Jean-Philippe Mateta’s headed opener from a corner of our own, as Jarrod Bowen expertly nodded in El Hadji Malick Diouf’s delivery, another cross cost the Hammers as Tyrick Mitchell lashed in after the hosts failed to adequately deal with Adam Wharton’s ball into the penalty area.
Mavropanos did his best to prevent both goals, throwing himself to try and clear Mateta’s header and then heading Wharton’s cross at full-stretch, only for Mitchell to volley the dropping ball past Alphonse Areola.
Speaking after the game, the Greece international could not conceal his hurt and insisted he is only focused on improving his own performance, and helping the Londoners turn things around defensively.
“We are really disappointed,” he confirmed. “We wanted to give something to our side and to the fans, but unfortunately we didn't.
“We conceded one more goal from a corner, which makes us really, really disappointed again. I think we worked harder in the second half, we scored the goal, we saw that we can give more to the attack, but unfortunately we conceded one more.
“I don't have much to say because really I think the energy we put in is good. I really try to understand what's going on, but I think we just have to work harder and concentrate more when we defend corners because nowadays you can see that all the teams give a lot of attention to this, as we do.
“So yeah, I think we have to focus more on that and be ready for every action.”
