West Ham manager Sam Allardyce did not get the performance he wanted at Everton yesterday to celebrate signing a new two year deal at the club, as the Irons crashed 2-0 at Goodison Park in a lethargic display, and has let his players know in no uncertain terms exactly what he thought of them.
"We've not found that [winning away from home] to be very easy at all this season," the 59 year old told whufc.com.
"We have managed to win three away from home and at the end of the day, our players played like they had the sun and the beach in their minds [yesterday]. They played like they were on their holidays before they really are."
The Hammers' Premier League survival was of course assured by Stoke's 1-1 draw with Sunderland last week, but this was not the performance Allardyce wanted, with his side still in pole position to land a top half finish.
"Everton were always going to come out all guns blazing and we had to match that, but of course we didn't find the tempo and the time to contend with Everton's very good play and they deserved to win."
The East London side have now not won at Goodison Park since 2005 and although Allardyce's side have every chance of securing 10th spot, lying two points clear of 11th placed Stoke with one game to play and can do so with a win against Reading on Sunday, this defeat will hurt the manager and remind him that of his workload over the summer ahead of next season.
"Trying to get better is our next priority, of course. I hope there will be less business done as there has been over my first two years. It will bring us more stability but I've got to choose the right players to make us better for next season and not stand still, even though we've had a fantastic season."
On his new contract, the Irons boss was equally pragmatic.
"I am very pleased about signing [the new contract] but I wasn't ever expecting it to be a problem. There was a lot of speculation but it's over and done with and we can concentrate on building for next season."
By Alex Shilling, News Editor
@alexshilling
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