Tony Cascarino believes West Ham’s defensive record this season has played a big role in the club struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell have been the four players who have featured regularly at the back for the Hammers this campaign, and Cascarino believes the blame for the team’s poor form lies squarely with them:

“Fredericks, Ogbonna, Diop and Cresswell. All four of them give you chances. Their goals against column is horrendous.”

West Ham have conceded 43 goals in their 25 games so far this season, which is the fourth-worst defence in the whole Premier League. Only Southampton (46), Aston Villa (47) and Norwich (47) have poorer records.

Considering manager David Moyes is widely regarded as a safety-first coach, you would have expected the Scot to address the issue but things have actually been getting steadily worse.

The Irons conceded three goals against Brighton last time out, meaning they have now let in nine in their last three league matches. That will need to improve if they are to stay up.