Jarrod Bowen has admitted West Ham United are in 'trouble' as he delivered a candid assessment in the aftermath of their defeat by Leeds United.
West Ham lost their third game in a row following their crushing defeat to Leeds on Friday.
Leeds ran out 2-1 winners at Elland Road, with new Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo going four games without a win - the first West Ham manager to do so since Manuel Pellegrini.
Brenden Aaronson opened the scoring in just the third minute before Joe Rodon doubled his team's lead from a set-piece.
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The visitors reduced the deficit when Mateus Fernandes scored in the 90th minute.
After the game, Bowen spoke to Sky Sports and gave a scathing, yet frank assessment of West Ham's precarious situation given they are 19th in the league.
"This is the Premier League and we need to really pull our finger out. As we're in a real situation. We have to face the reality of that, the sooner it starts hitting everyone, it needs to change," he said.
"You can't come out here and say anything different. You can't say anything positive or anything in that way. You have to face the reality of where we are: second bottom and we're in trouble now. We have to accept that.
"It's just not brave enough, not doing the jobs good enough until the end.
"We get a goal back, it's disallowed. It always felt like one goal and you always get a bit of confidence when you score. We did that, it was too late. Not good enough."
Jarrod Bowen: 'Players need to step up'
In dissecting West Ham's latest setback, Bowen gave an insight into the dressing room morale. Needless to say, it's low.
The West Ham captain also provided a stern message to his teammates, telling them to 'roll their sleeves up and fight'.
When asked why they are struggling so much, he replied: "There could be a lot of reasons why. But the dressing room when you're second bottom of the league and won one game all season is low.
"I've said for a few weeks now, coming out and doing interviews: the only way this is going to change is if players step up, roll their sleeves up and get ready for the fight.
"We need more of that week in, week out. When things aren't going so well, it's easy to hide and be scared but as easy it is to say, it's hard to do. We have to do that, that's my only mindset.
"And that's what I've been saying to the players: roll your sleeves up and dig in, because nobody is going to give this to us."
West Ham resume their faltering league campaign next Sunday when they host Newcastle United.
Topics: Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, Football
Nasir Jabbar