West Ham are still winless at Upton Park this season after yet another deeply disappointing performance against fellow strugglers Fulham at the Boleyn.
The Hammers once again failed to gain that all important first win of the season against an equally disappointing Fulham - a team who had before today mustered just one win away from home all season.And to add insult to injury Tomas Repka was dismissed in the final minutes after being yellow carded twice within the space of a few seconds for dissent.
In the end the Hammers were probably grateful for the point, as the better chances fell to the visitors.
Facundo Sava gave the Cottagers the lead after 49 minutes, when yet more dreadful defending allowed him to slot home from six yards unmarked.
But parity was restored 25 minutes from time when Trevor Sinclair struck the equaliser from the penalty spot, after Christian Dailly's header was adjudged to have been handled by Fulham's Sylvain Legwinski.
The best chances of the final period fell to Fulham, clearly buoyed by the lack of invention and application inherent in their opponents.
For the first time this season there were clear chants of 'Roeder Out' coming from the stands. Until this point it has been the board who have born the brunt of supporters frustrations; now it seems that Roeder too has no hiding place.
Speaking to reporters after the game, a shellshocked Roeder said:
"I've got to remain positive which hasn't been a problem for me this season. The players will bounce off me. We've had a number of games in which we've played well enough to win but haven't.
"The players are now thinking about trying to get us out of this hole we're in - and it is a big one."
And on the red-carded Tomas Repka - who has been cautioned in more than half the games he has played for the club - he added:
"He knows he was wrong but it's too late now. I'm not even going to attempt to make an excuse for him.
"I'll wait to see what the referee's report says. There is a disciplinary code at the club and if it needs to activated it will be. I haven't spoken to him yet; I'll sleep on it and speak to him in the morning.
"Tomas should know better. I understand the supporters being angry with him but he's going to have to be big enough to get over it.
"He's got a reputation for picking up too many yellows and at times he's run out of control this season. It's a difficult time for everybody at the football club - but I can't think of any reason why he should be more stressed than any other player."
Fortunately perhaps the Hammers are back on the road for their next two fixtures - against Blackburn on Saturday and Charlton on New Years Day.
The corresponding fixtures last season saw eight goals scored in each game (the Hammers providing five of those). How the beleaguered Glenn Roeder could do with a similar return from the next two games ...
West Ham United: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Cole, Lomas (Hutchison 76), Carrick, Sinclair, Defoe, Kanoute (Pearce 68).
Subs not used: Bywater, Breen, Moncur.
Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Brevett, Malbranque (Goldbaek 78), Legwinski (Djetou 65), Wome, Davis, Sava (Hammond 89), Marlet.
Subs not used: Herrera, Knight.
Booked: Legwinski, Winterburn, Repka.
Sent off: Repka
Attendance: 35,025
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
KUMB Man of the Match: Michael Carrick
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