West Ham United defender Carl Jenkinson believes that his side's poor fortune at both ends of the pitch is the reason for their stuttering form in the second half of the campaign.

The Hammers enjoyed an excellent start to the season and were pushing for a place in Europe before the turn of the year.

However, since January Sam Allardyce's men have recorded just two victories in the top flight, which has seen them slip down the table into 10th place, much to the frustration of the defender.

Jenkinson is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News: "We have had some really good performances but teams have scored late goals against us and we have ended up getting a point instead of three. It has been a bit frustrating.

"I just think early on in the season we were finishing everything. Everything we got was going in the back of net and at important times of the game.

"We have gone ahead in recent games but never killed the games off and have ended up conceding cheaply towards the end of the game. Of course that is a real kick in the teeth. It is not nice blaming things on luck - you make your own luck - but that has been the story of our last couple of months."

West Ham face Queens Park Rangers in their next top-flight outing on Saturday.