Joe Cole delivers blunt verdict after Charlton defeat and names two key players he feels contributed to the loss.

West Ham’s disappointing defeat to Charlton has sparked plenty of criticism, with former Hammers star Joe Cole offering a blunt assessment of the performance.The pundit believes two key West Ham players should have done considerably more during the game, with their performances coming under scrutiny following the unexpected result. Cole’s comments have added further pressure at a time when the club will be hoping to put the defeat behind them quickly.West Ham supporters were understandably frustrated by the result, particularly because the new season has only just begun. While there is still plenty of time to improve, performances like this can raise questions about the team’s preparation, intensity and mentality.Cole’s assessment has also generated debate among fans, with some agreeing that certain players failed to meet expectations while others believe it is too early to draw serious conclusions from one disappointing result.The Hammers will now be expected to respond quickly and show a much-improved performance in their next fixture. For the two players highlighted by Cole, the best response will be on the pitch.With a long campaign ahead, West Ham have plenty of opportunities to turn things around, but supporters will be hoping the Charlton defeat remains an isolated setback rather than the beginning of a worrying trend.