West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has bemoaned the fact that his side have already received three red cards in five European matches this season, after defender James Collins was dismissed in their 2-2 draw at home to Romanias Astra Giurgiu.
Goals from Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate had given the Hammers a two-goal lead in their third qualifying round tie. But the match changed after Collins received a second yellow card for pulling Constantin Budescus shirt in the 59th minute. Fernando Boldrin made it 2-1 before an own goal by Angelo Ogbonna meant that West Ham will have it all to do in the second leg on 6 August.
Collins dismissal means the club has received a red card in each of the Europa League qualifying rounds this season, after striker Diafra Sakho was sent off against Andorras Lusitanos and James Tomkins received a red card in Malta against Birkirkara.
Bilic said he was unhappy about receiving so many red cards so far in this campaign.
Weve had three red cards in three rounds, its too much. It was a professional foul. I think the decision is harsh but I cant blame the referee, he said.
West Hams red cards in Europe
Diafra Sakho
Lusitanos v West Ham (9 July)
James Tomkins
Birkirkara v West Ham (23 July)
James Collins
West Ham v Astra Giurgiu (30 July)
With Astra earning two precious away goals into their second leg in Romania, West Ham will have a lot of work to do to progress. After the match Astras coach Marius Șumudică said West Ham were still 60/40 favourites to progress, a notion that Bilic dismissed.
What does that mean? They had a good result and they [next] play at home. If we play like we did in the first 60 minutes then we have a good chance to go through. If were going to get another red card then its better to stay here, he said.
West Ham travel to Astra for the second leg of the qualifying match on 6 August, just three days before the Hammers first game of the new Premier League season away to Arsenal.
