West Ham dragged out a 1-1 draw against Premier League strugglers Newcastle which is no doubt a crucial blow in our hunt for European football this season.

As the dust settles this may seem the match that effectively rules our Irons out of a top 4 finish. We were poor, throughout. And there is no getting away from that fact.

The worry now is that this isn’t a one off, in fact on previously results and showings this was expected, West Ham are seeming unable to match the requirements to achieve our targets this season.

It was a sluggish affair from the off with both sides struggling to get into any real rhythm and it was a game that was crying out for goal to spark things into life.

It arrived just after the half hour mark and somewhat against the run of play. Aaron Cresswell whipped in a inviting cross which Craig Dawson nodded beyond the Newcastle keeper to send our Hammers ahead.

West Ham’s fragile ability to see out periods of play was again exposed as Newcastle levelled ok the cusp of half time when Joe Willock prodded in following some lapse defending.

The second half didn’t offer much optimism as West Ham simply struggled to really get to grip of the match, albeit both sides never really looked like winning it.

It was a frustrating afternoon all in all as another crucial game has slipped by with the points not taken, David Moyes will know it too.

Lots needed to be done to get our Irons back firing and it’s needed fast as we enter the business end of the season.