Declan Rice cut an understandably frustrated figure following the 2-0 defeat to Brighton which means West Ham are bottom of the league following the opening 3 matches.

Our Hammers were ultimately second best throughout the contest, and Rice acknowledged that the standards need to improve greatly if we are to get back on track this season.

“As you can see on my face I’m annoyed and disappointed because this is not the level we have set over the last two years,” Rice told the clubs Official Website.

“We know as a group of players if you lose the first three games you’re constantly chasing, and we don’t want to do that.

“Look at the start we had last year – we were on fire and it set the tone for the season. It’s down to us to pick up and go again.

“In the first half I thought there were glimpses where we could have done better, but we stayed in the game, kept possession of the ball, moved it around but couldn’t get that killer touch.

“Obviously you concede a penalty and from there it’s an uphill task. It was a poor goal to concede in the second half but, look, we need to get back on it.

“As a group of lads, last year and the year before we were so good because we were honest, we stayed together, we worked our socks off on the pitch and gave everything. I think from the start in these first three games we’re feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves. There’s no easy game in the Premier League so unless you start to work and get three points on the board you’ll be chasing.”

Rice stated that the upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa is crucial, especially ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

“Villa in the next game is tough, then it’s Spurs and Chelsea. We don’t want to be down in the bottom half of the table for the season, so we need to raise our standards, we need to be better. We need to win the game next week, it’s a simple as that.

“We need to go out there, give everything, leave nothing on the pitch and walk away with three points.”