Slaven Bilic Lambasts Defence for 'Cheap' Mistakes in 4-2 Defeat to Watford

Slaven Bilic warned his side that they 'can't defend like this or we are not going to win a single game' in an interview with theBBCafter their 2-0 lead was overhauled as a result of a defensive capitulationin a 4-2 loss at the London Stadium, at the hands of Watford.

Michail Antonio's two headers were cancelled out by goals from Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney before half time, and the Hornets finished off a memorable win when Etienne Capoue and José Holebas bagged in twenty second-half minutes.

'Bilic is Martinez 2.0! That performance is a sackable offence!' - West Ham fans https://t.co/v0MmdIAa77 #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/3N67rm074e

"In the second half, we let them score a couple of goals without basically putting them under pressure, like it was too easy for them." complained Bilic, labelling the first two conceded as 'silly.'

"Both goals they have way too much space and way too much time, in really dangerous areas. We can't defend like that.

"It's a matter of confidence. It's 2-2 and you are a little bit afraid to get exposed."

Bilic did dismiss the idea that West Ham were complacent after taking a 2-0 lead, with Dimitri Payet's rabona cross to set up Antonio for the second a joy to behold.

"I don't think so. We already knew what the Premier League is like, it was way too early, it was not like we were switched off. It was just a bad five minutes."

When asked about his team's brilliance at the start of the match, Bilic was full of praise for his attacking players.

"It looked great. We were so confident, scored a couple of goals, also creating a few chances, played really attractive football.

33 mins: West Ham 2-0 Watford

63 mins: West Ham 2-4 Watford pic.twitter.com/PlNdo8dHb8

"We started really good, in the first ten minutes we had five chances, but they also had two chances. It looked really good, the way we also defended as a team and the way we pressed them."

The Hammers' difficult start to the season continues, with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth the only match they were not beaten in.