Hammers coped without Carroll
West Ham United’s recent upturn in form coincided with Andy Carroll’s return to fitness, but with the striker absent against West Brom on Saturday, boss Slaven Bilic was pleased to see his team cope.
Carroll has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances, earning the Hammers nine points from that period, shooting them into the top half of the table.
The England international failed a late fitness test ahead of the visit from the Baggies to east London though, leaving Michail Antonio to lead the line in his absence.
Bilic’s men drew 2-2, throwing away two points when Gareth McAuley headed in a 96th-minute equaliser.
Despite that late sucker-punch, Bilic was pleased with the way his team performed without their in-form star.
(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
“Andy is one of those key players for us. We played really good without him, with him it would have been even better,” said Bilic.
“But what pleased me is that we don’t depend on one player, we have a team who can compensate when one of the players isn’t playing, even if it is Andy Carroll.
“We got a point, you know, but we didn’t deserve less than three points. It was a great performance, a great comeback, with style.
“The crowd were enjoying it – it was not just in one dimension, across everything the guys were amazing.
“They did everything that I asked of them and that’s why it’s even more frustrating.”
