Leon Osman tells West Ham how to get to ‘next level’ after draw v Burnley
West Ham must learn to be better in possession if they want to go to the next level according to BBC pundit Leon Osman after their draw with Burnley.
The Hammers were held to a 1-1 draw despite having 61 percent possession at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, all but ending their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
But Osman, speaking on BBC Match of the Day 2, says David Moyes’ side were ‘frustrating’ because they weren’t effective when they weren’t counter attacking, something they must improve if they want to go to the ‘next level’.
“It was a frustrating afternoon for David Moyes’ team in possession of the ball,” he said.
“If West Ham are going to make the next step, they’ve done ever so well to get where they are, but if they’re going to make the next step, evolve into a top four team they want to be, they have to find the answers in possession.”
Improvements
Nobody at West Ham believes they are the complete package yet or the finished article, but the progression that we have seen under Moyes in recent years is phenomenal.
There is plenty of room for improvement in the squad and in the style of play, and that will come with more time and more investment into the squad too.
But the performance against Burnley simply wasn’t good enough for where West Ham currently are, nevermind where they want to be, and it’s a game they should be winning.
Ultimately they could have won it, with Nick Pope making an incredible save late on to deny Issa Diop, but it could easily have gone the other way too with Maxwell Cornet missing a penalty.
Osman has identified an issue within the side, something that fans and Moyes have previously noticed, and this summer will be key in addressing it.
In other West Ham news, Robbie Savage believes timing is right for major West Ham transfer deal
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