James Collins says the West Ham United squad will rally around Adrian after Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Stoke City.
The Wales defender backed the goalkeeper to bounce back after his misjudgement led to the Potters’ equaliser at London Stadium.
Adrian came racing from his goal, calling off centre-half Collins, but was beaten to the ball by Jonathan Walters, who crossed for Bojan Krkic to volley into the unguarded net.
“It’s one of them,” said the No19. “He cannot dwell on it too much. I’ve had a long career and I’ve probably made more mistakes than anyone, so I cannot really comment on it!
“I was there to get the ball and I heard Adrian call and he’s made that decision. Football is about decisions and unfortunately it seems it was the wrong one.”
I’ve had a long career and I’ve probably made more mistakes than anyone, so I cannot really comment on it!
James Collins
Adrian’s error was exacerbated by the fact that the Hammers could only score one goal of their own, despite creating the better chances throughout the game.
Pedro Obiang was denied by Lee Grant twice, while Michail Antonio and Collins himself both headed off-target from Dimitri Payet corners.
West Ham’s sole strike came when Payet crossed and Antonio’s glancing header bounced into the bottom corner off Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan.
When asked why the Hammers have found goals harder to come by this season, Collins explained that it was not simply down to their own execution.
“I think a lot of it is down to what teams are doing against us as well,” said the 33-year-old. “Obviously with the players we have got up front, if I was playing against them I would take extra time on defending so maybe other teams are doing that.
“Maybe we are not moving the ball quickly enough into the right areas. We have got a break coming up with the internationals, so I am sure the gaffer will have us working on a few things.”
One player the opposition are focusing on more than any other is Dimitri Payet, who has found himself repeatedly double-teamed throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.
Collins is not surprised that the Frenchman has become a ‘marked man’.
“If you look at last season and the Euros, Dimi was fantastic and other teams will have seen that and, when they focus on certain players in our team, they will all be talking about Dimitri Payet,” said the defender.
“He’s a marked man but he’s a world-class player, so I am sure we will see what he is all about in the next couple of months.”