Daily WHUFC News - 25th September 2015

Slaven Speaks - Norwich City
WHUFC.com

Ahead of West Ham United's game with Norwich City on Saturday, manager
Slaven Bilic faced the media. The boss fielded a number of questions on
varied topics from Andy Carroll's first start in seven months, how to break
the Canaries' down and enjoying the Hammers' bright start to the season…

Good morning Slaven, what's the team news for Saturday?

SB: "We're still in the crucial stage of recovery from Leicester on Tuesday.
We have a few knocks that we need to assess, no major or serious but we will
have to wait and see. We'll know better tomorrow."

Andy Carroll played 60 minutes on Tuesday, how far away he is from being
fully fit?

SB: "He couldn't be working harder in training, but after seven months out,
these things take time. We have to be patient and we don't want to rush him.
Having said that, he can only regain that edge but playing games, so we have
to find the right balance."

Saturday's game follows another fantastic away win at Manchester City; do
you need to win this game against Norwich City to match up the home and away
form?

SB: "Well we'd like to win both, six point is obviously nicer than three. We
won our last home game which was crucial to get that first home win. We are
going to do everything to win and get four straight league wins that is our
aim."

Last season West Ham got off to a terrific start but then faded away, are
you conscious of that?

SB: "It's still too early to compare. Last season there were injuries and
some unlucky games. Perhaps we lost a bit of motivation. We're not looking
too far ahead, we're thinking about September and October. We don't want to
look too far ahead or think about where we might finish in the table, it is
too early for that."

West Ham's conversion rate is impressively high, is that something you've
worked on?

SB: "Yes, and it's not accident. We work hard on training, on shooting, and
it's very important because it has served us well. It's not come out of the
blue and I am confident we can maintain that rate."

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View on the Visitors - Norwich City
WHUFC.com

Press Association Sports Reporter Jim van Wijk lifts the lid on Saturday's
opponents

Six games into the season and Norwich have eight points, what have you made
of the Canaries so far?

"Apart from the Crystal Palace result, I think Norwich will be pretty
pleased. It's hard to know at the moment if beating Sunderland is any kind
of benchmark but it was a good confidence booster and important to get that
first win early on.

"They played ever so well against Stoke and the fact Jack Butland was Man of
the Match speaks volumes. They were slightly disappointing against
Southampton but the performances against Bournemouth and Liverpool were
excellent.

"I think Alex Neil's side have shown enough to suggest Norwich will give
staying up a good crack. However there's still a question mark about where
the goals are going to come from."

Who has stood out for the Canaries recently?

"Wes Hoolahan has been the star man. He's no spring chicken but he is now an
integral part of the team. A while ago he had the option of leaving but he
stayed and the fans love him for it. It was a surprise that he didn't play
against Liverpool but credit to Alex Neil because the team he did put out
certainly did a job.

"New signing Robbie Brady has also impressed since joining as has Matt
Jarvis. I know he can't play today but he has added another dimension to the
side."

How do you expect Norwich to set up?

"So far Norwich have approached each game, home or away, pretty much the
same. They like to be solid in midfield with Alex Tettey and Graeme Dorrans
in the middle while Jonny Howson has the freedom to attack.

"I think they'll be slightly more open than they were against Liverpool and
I expect them to go for it. They'll have seen how Leicester and Bournemouth
fared here, so why not?"

You have covered many games here over the years, what are your standout
memories?

"I've been very fortunate in that I've seen a lot of great games here. One
memory that stands out is Dean Ashton's unveiling when he joined West Ham in
2006. The welcome he got was incredible. He was asked to wave to the Bobby
Moore stand and you could see he didn't know which that one was, but it
didn't really matter.

"The thing about the Boleyn Ground is when the fans pull together; it is a
very daunting place to come to. It can be an overwhelming atmosphere,
Bubbles is an iconic anthem."

Finally, what is your prediction for Saturday's score?

"I'll go for an entertaining 1-1 draw. That probably suits Norwich slightly
better but it wouldn't be a bad result for either side."

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Ladies secure first win of the season
WHUFC.com

West Ham Ladies picked up their first points of the season during a
thrilling 3-2 victory away to local rivals C&K Basildon on Wednesday 24
September.

Basildon's Charlotte Long was given her marching orders in the early stages
of the match, before new Italian signing Giulia Ferrandi marked her Hammers'
debut with a fantastic long range strike to put the visitors ahead. Basildon
leveled the scores when attacker Amy Nash scored with an equally impressive
shot from distance.

After half time, Meagen Doyle headed the hosts into the lead, followed by
Ferrandi marring her debut when she was also shown a straight red card for
kicking out at an opposition player.

The Hammers turned the game on its head once again when former Millwall
Lionesses' striker Emma Sherwood netted a brace, with ugly scenes in the
final stages of the game seeing West Ham defender Kayleigh Xidhas and
Basildon's Doyle also shown red cards for an on-field altercation.

In the Ladies' first league fixture since their narrow 1-0 defeat to their
Essex rivals a fortnight ago, manager Marc Nurse was forced into making four
changes. Georgia Miller, Ferrandi and fellow Italian Romina Pinna came into
the starting eleven.

Defender Danica Revell missed the game through injury and Paige
Anderson-James and Danni Ritson were unavailable after featuring in a
behind-closed-doors defeat to Arsenal Ladies Reserves the night before.
Shirvae Edwards also made way for Lily Mellors shortly before kick-off.

The first real action of the game was when, after several discussions
between the two, Long was sent off for dissent after returning to the
referee on several occasions to continue discussing earlier events in a
distasteful manner.

Shortly after, the visitors used the advantage to push themselves ahead.
After 20 minutes, midfielder Ferrandi picked up the ball around 25 yards and
she lashed an unstoppable volley over Basildon keeper Cherie Rowlands and
into the net.

Just ten minutes later and the hosts had managed to pull themselves level.
In similar fashion to Ferrandi's opener, it was Nash that netted against the
Hammers for her second goal against Nurse's side in as many weeks.

Into the second half and West Ham couldn't have asked for any worse.
Firstly, centre half Kerry Stimson shown a yellow card within seconds of the
second half restarting, before Doyle beat Chauhan to a high ball in the box
to head home and give Steve Tilson's side the lead.

As the clock ticked past the hour mark though, the Hammers fought back and
were level when the ball found its way to the feet of Sherwood inside the
penalty area and she duly dispatched the ball past Rowlands and into the
net.

Ten minutes later and another red card was produced, this time for Ferrandi.
After she clashed with a Basildon player, the referee felt he had no choice
but to level up the numbers by sending her off.

That wasn't the end of the action in front of goal as an inspired Hammers
launched several attacks to try and find that all-important winning goal.

They got in with just eight minutes left to play when our other new Italian
signing, Pinna, used her quick feet to turn past the Basildon defender in
the penalty box, only to be tripped for a penalty kick. It was the
responsibility of Sherwood to step up and convert, which she did.

The emotions were already running high at the point in the game and it came
to blows in the final few minutes when Doyle fouled Stimson and in the
process, put a late challenge in on Xidhas. The Hammers full back reacted
badly to the challenge and after being separated by a number of teammates,
both players were sent off.

The victory takes Nurse's side above Lewes Ladies, who lost 2-0 at home to
Brighton Ladies on Wednesday, and into tenth.

West Ham will look to finish the week with another victory when they host
Forest Green Rovers at AFC Hornchurch on Sunday 27 September at 2pm.

LADIES: Chauhan, Bottom, Little (c), Stimson, Xidhas, Ferrandi,
Blanchflower, Miller, Mellors (Edwards, 45), Sherwood, Pinna
Subs not used: Parlane, Locke.

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Adrian - 'We'll bounce back on Saturday'
WHUFC.com

Despite a heroic performance, West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian could not
hide his disappointment at being knocked out of the Capital One Cup
following the Hammers' 2-1 defeat away at Leicester City. The shotstopper
was in fine form at the King Power, making a number of fingertip saves to
keep his side in the tie until the 116th minute when Foxes' captain Andy
King headed home. Reflecting on a busy evening, Adrian said: "It's my job,
unfortunately they scored the header late on which I don't like, I saved a
lot of shots but we still got nothing. "We played well and tried to keep
possession. It's not easy coming here to play Leicester but I thought we did
well to create the chances that we did."

The Spaniard has impressed since returning to side following his suspension,
he put in a courageous performance in the 3-1 win over Manchester City last
Saturday and he continued to excel against the Foxes. At times, it appeared
as though the 28-year-old was single-handedly keeping his side in the match
as he denied Jeffrey Schlupp, Leonardo Ulloa and Riyad Mahrez from point
blank range. Adrian continued: "This is football, anything can happen in
extra-time. We need to pick ourselves up quickly for our game against
Norwich this weekend. "I am confident in my ability to save penalties so had
it come to that I think we would have won, but it didn't get that far so it
doesn't matter."

The Hammers will have to refocus quickly as they return to Premier League
action on Saturday 26 September with a home game against Norwich City.
Despite the setback, Adrian is adamant his side will bounce back and extend
their outstanding league form to four straight wins.
"We've had some excellent performances away from home this season so
hopefully we can recreate that form at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday. "It's
a game we are all looking forward to and we will try our best to win."

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Andy Carroll will not be rushed, West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says
Last Updated: 24/09/15 1:14pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic has urged patience over Andy Carroll following the West Ham
striker's first start in almost eight months. Carroll is fully recovered
from knee surgery and played more than an hour of the Capital One Cup defeat
at Leicester. Next up for West Ham is a home game against Norwich as they
chase a fourth straight Premier League win, but Carroll will not necessarily
be involved from the start. "Andy couldn't do more in training," Bilic
said. "After seven months out, these things take time. We have to be patient
and we don't want to rush him. "Having said that, he can only regain that
edge by playing games, so we have to find the right balance."

Bilic can afford to take his time with record signing Carroll given West
Ham's early-season results, which have included wins at Arsenal, Liverpool
and Manchester City. But last season brought a similarly encouraging start
under Sam Allardyce, whose side were mixing it with the top four until
falling away after Christmas. Bilic said: "It's too early to talk about the
start. At the end they lost a bit of motivation last season, it happened in
February. But I'm not thinking about that period, all I'm thinking about now
is the Norwich game. We are trying to mix the team. "I'm just thinking
about Norwich and Sunderland then we have the international break. It will
be nice to win all games in the Premier League, that's our aim of course.
That is important for every team we play."

Saturday's opponents have won home and away already this season, and the
manager said: "Norwich are a really good team. "We know it will be a
difficult game, they have started very well. We have watched a few games,
they are full of confidence. They defend as a unit and are very solid."

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Ricoh seals £1.2m deal with West Ham
Posted by Hammers Newshound on September 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

IT company Ricoh have struck a £1.2m deal over three years with West Ham
with £750,000 up front in year one as the Hammers move into the Olympic
Stadium next year.

Claret and Hugh understand that Ricoh will provide IT infrastructure,
managed print services and new software at the Olympic Stadium West Ham
offices valued at £1.2m in return for corporate hospitality and sponsorship
worth equally valued at £1.2m.

Ricoh will completely revamp West Ham's IT infrastructure and print systems
as it leaves it ageing computer systems behind at the Boleyn Ground next
August.

West Ham Commercial Director Felicity Barnard told the club's official
website "This will allow us to improve the supporter experience by
significantly enhancing our matchday offering. We believe this is a really
exciting partnership for the Club and look forward to working very closely
with Ricoh over the coming years."
Chas Moloney, Marketing Director at Ricoh, added: "We are delighted to have
become a partner of West Ham United and are excited to be working with them
on creating an exceptional fan experience at the new Stadium."

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CandH Exclusive: Gold opens up
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

David Gold has told the Hammers squad to get over the Leicester City defeat
and look positively towards maintaining their lofty Premier League perch and
aiming for a massive FA Cup run

He explained that he got over the Capital One Cup defeat in a couple of days
and was now looking forward to another home win over Norwich City on
Saturday.

And in an exclusive interview with ClaretandHugh he added: "By the time the
FA Cup competition comes around we will be a much stronger and together
team.

"Things are still gelling and I believe that by the time the 3rd round draw
is made we will be a very good team that is well bedded in."

And he added: "It would be quite nice if we could get a home draw wouldn't
it – I think that is overdue."

In the meantime he wants a big performance on Saturday as the team look to
hold their place in the top three declaring: "We are very exciting at our
best and I'm really looking forward to the game."

He explained: "I tend to dwell on defeats but I shook this one off fairly
quickly by my standards and we move on looking to stay in that top three.

"Despite some tired legs and minds after the Manchester game there were
times when we played some really good stuff.

"And perhaps on another day we would have had the penalty we all believe we
should have had when Mark Noble instead received a yellow card.

"Fair play to Leicester and their manager Claudio Ranieri. They play fast
and attractive football. They edged it but we look forward with great hope."

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Hammer begs for a chance
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in News
C and H

James Collins has begged Slaven Bilic to give him a first team chance. Ginge
has slipped down the central defensive pecking order since the new manager
took control and is believed to have refused a loan move to Queens Park
Rangers in the summer. Now he is pleading with the boss to give him an
opportunity although it has to remain unlikely that anything other than
injuries will come to his aid. Collins knows he needs to be playing
first-team football if he has a chance of going to Euro 2016 with Wales and
said: "I'm as fit as a fiddle. "I'm fitter now than I was when I was 22, let
alone 32, I knew I was going to have to keep in shape so that when the
gaffer calls on me I will be ready, and I'm ready now. "I feel ready now.
There are a couple of games coming up for Wales too. Obviously I would be
bitterly disappointed if I missed out on going to France so it is something
I need to think about. "It is a long time away, and of course we still have
to actually get there. It is a massive ambition to play in the finals."

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Bilic confident goals spree will continue
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in News
C and H

Slaven Bilic is convinced the Irons can continue their high scoring form
declaring "We work hard on training, on shooting, and it's very important
because it has served us well. "It's not come out of the blue and I am
confident we can maintain that rate." Speaking to www.whufc.com ahead of the
game against Norwich he said: " We won our last home game which was crucial
to get that first home win. We are going to do everything to win and get
four straight league wins that is our aim." But he refuses to make
comparisons between this season and last when we made a great start before
fading, saying: "It's still too early to compare. Last season there were
injuries and some unlucky games. "Perhaps we lost a bit of motivation.
We're not looking too far ahead, we're thinking about September and October.
We don't want to look too far ahead or think about where we might finish in
the table, it is too early for that." He reports no major injuries adding:
""We're still in the crucial stage of recovery from Leicester on Tuesday. We
have a few knocks that we need to assess, no major or serious but we will
have to wait and see. We'll know better tomorrow."

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OS naming rights expected before Christmas
Posted by Hammers Newshound on September 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

Naming rights for our new home in Stratford are due to be announced after
the Rugby World Cup. The Stadium is currently officially called the Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium or just 'The Stadium' for short by owners E20
LLP as the term 'Olympic Stadium' is restricted by the IOC. Towards the end
of this year, an announcement will be made that a new sponsor is in place
and a re-branding exercise will take place with a new name for the Stadium.
The Millennium Dome was re branded in 2007 to the O2 Arena after owners AEG
sold the naming rights to the Mobile operator for £6m per year for 10 years.
Last year the FA agreed a £25m six year deal with Mobile operator EE to
re-brand Wembley Stadium worth just over £4.1m per year although the name
stayed the same. Wembley Arena has also been rebranded as The SSE Arena in
a £15m naming rights and sponsorship deal struck by one of the UK's Big Six
energy companies. The 10 year deal is worth £1.5m per year. It is unknown
who may have already won the naming rights for the former Olympic Stadium
but West Ham are not expected to see anything of the estimated £5m per year
revenue it generates unless an incredible deal is struck with a new sponsor.

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drian looks for just deserts
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in News
C and H

Heroic Adrian was in incredible form against Leicester City but it wasn't
enough and now he's looking for the team to bounce back on Saturday. He's
become one of the best shot stoppers in the country but simply couldn't stop
the 116th minute headed winner from Foxes' captain Andy King. Speaking to
www.whufc.com he said: "It's my job, unfortunately they scored the header
late on which I don't like, I saved a lot of shots but we still got nothing.
"We played well and tried to keep possession. It's not easy coming here to
play Leicester but I thought we did well to create the chances that we did."
Looking ahead he said: "This is football, anything can happen in extra-time.
We need to pick ourselves up quickly for our game against Norwich this
weekend. "I am confident in my ability to save penalties so had it come to
that I think we would have won, but it didn't get that far so it doesn't
matter." "We've had some excellent performances away from home this season
so hopefully we can recreate that form at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
"It's a game we are all looking forward to and we will try our best to win."

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Leroy puts Cresswell critics in their place
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in Leroy's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H

I've noticed a few fingers being pointed in Aaron Cresswell's direction this
season and I'm not having that.

The boy held his hands up for a shocker against Bournemouth but then went
off to Anfield and Manchester City and had belting games.

At the Etihad there wasn't one of his balls from the back that didn't find
one of his own players which is brilliant and as good as any out and out
defending. He was tremendous.

But then came Tuesday evening at Leicester when he had an awful first half
and got a bit of stick from various commentators, notably on BBC London I'm
told.

Football being what it is, the moaners and critics will be out in force but
let me say this straight away- the second season was always gonna be a lot
harder than the first.

Last year he was playing on pure adrenaline going from game to game on
total high but this season since making one or two mistakes he's thinking
about things and perhaps dwelling on them a bit.

We all know he's a top player who is getting better all the time and the
problems are between his ears rather than at his feet.

It's obvious he is a player admired by the manager and in Julian Dicks he
has the ideal person to talk to should he be worried and need some advice.

Some might think after being an ever-present in the team he perhaps needs a
rest but he doesn't strike me as that sort of lad and I'm sure he will come
though.

This was always going to happen just as it has done with Sanchez at Arsenal
but Cressie has a good professional mentality and will come through.

He has great people around him and will be absolutely fine!

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Olympic Stadium to have super fast Wifi
Posted by Hammers Newshound on September 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

The days of having problems getting a mobile data connection before,during
and after West Ham games should be a thing of the past next year as the
London Legacy Development Corporation confirm that free WiFi will be
available across and throughout the new stadium from 2016.

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park already enjoys free WiFi provided by
specialist WiFi company WiFiSpark. Although we understand a contract for the
Stadium WiFi has yet to be awarded, we have been reliably informed the
Stadium WiFi will be fully operational before West Ham start their match
next August.

An insider told Claret and Hugh "The vision is to have good solid roaming
WiFi throughout the Park/Stadium"

A new smart app is also due to be launched called quiet simply called 'The
Stadium app' although this maybe re-branded once the naming rights are sold
later this year. Earlier this month West Ham were listed close to the
bottom of a table of the worst mobile data connections at Premier League
football grounds.

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Kouyate pay talks plan
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on September 24, 2015 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham will address Cheik Kouyate's pay concerns following the Christmas
programme. Stories were circulating on deadline day that the midfielder was
being hunted by Spurs who were apparently ready to pay £15 million.
ClaretandHugh inquiries at the time proved that to be false but were were
told by a highly placed source that the player was keen to renegotiate his
contract terms despite the current one having three years to run. And we
have learned over the last few hours that the Senegal international is on
around £30k a week and looking for a minimum of £40k. There can be no
doubting that he has had a big impact on our midfield since he arrived but
the club will not be rushing to get into talks with his agent. We were told
exclusively: "They will just be told to go away for the time being because
we simply don't do our business at this time of the year. It's not a Winston
Reid-type situation and we will talk to him at the normal time which is just
after Christmas. "He's done very well and everything will be borne in mind
on that front when the talks get underway."

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ALL YOU NEED IS SLAV
By Bianca Westwood 24 Sep 2015 at 14:00
WTID

A thousand apologies!! My blog is late, will undoubtedly be rushed and I
have to keep it short. I waited until after the cup game to write it and
then yesterday I ended up doing everything but write. What with my
Bournemouth prep and stats for my game at the weekend I've left this all a
bit late in the day. It kinda feels like being back at school when I'd be
scribbling away at my homework as the teacher was collecting our books. I'm
currently sat outside Dean Court tapping away on my iPad waiting to go in to
interview Matt Ritchie for Soccer Saturday on his goal of the season
contender… amongst other things.
So let's get this over with…

I have to admit I'm gutted we didn't progress into the next round of the
Capital One. I would have really fancied us at the KC too. However listening
to Paul Walsh who watched the game on the Soccer Special it did sound like
the Foxes were better on the night. They enjoyed most of the possession, had
plenty of chances and if it wasn't for Adrian it probably would have been
over before extra time. We conceded a couple of sloppy goals and made a few
mistakes but I'm in a forgiving mood. We could have, and perhaps should
have, had a penalty which would have changed the game. Plus, let's not
forget the fact that (despite the wholesale changes made by Ranieri on the
night) Leicester are a team in terrific form. They are buzzing with their
league performances and confidence is at a high. It's no disgrace to lose at
the King Power these days. We gave a decent account of ourselves and,
disappointment that we're out of another competition besides, we still have
a whole lot to be positive about. We can learn from this and hopefully take
our experience into the the FA cup. Now that's a trophy I'd love us to win.

As it stands we will have to make do with another LG Performance of the Week
award for our battling display at Manchester City. We already have one in
the cabinet this season for the Arsenal game and, if Palace hadn't done the
unthinkable at Stamford Bridge, we probably would have had another for our
consummate victory at Anfield. So thanks to the LMA for singling out our new
manager for yet another honour voted for by his peers.

I think the immense shift that we put in at the Etihad really took a lot out
of the team. To a man they grafted their socks off. It was an authentic,
honest and no nonsense performance, personified by Noble hauling Jenks to
his feet to minimise injury time. We were touch tight, we hampered their
play as much as we could, we didn't get phased when out of possession for
long spells and Winston Reid put in a defensive masterclass. He has really
stepped up his game in recent weeks. Whether he is partnered with Tomkins,
Ogbonna or Collins he has proven himself to be a top class defender. He is
more than capable, steady and keeps a cool head. Perhaps signing a new long
term deal has had a stabilising influence and I am puzzled but delighted he
wasn't snapped up by one of the big guns. Heaven knows a few of those 'top'
teams could do with him now.

On the other side of the coin we now have real flair and quality in so many
areas. Moses has given us a new dimension and Payet's vision and composure
on the ball is a real treat to watch. Everyone seems to be well drilled in
their roles and even the forward players are tracking back but, we're not
just sitting back. We play on the front foot as much as possible and we're
making set pieces count. It seems we have a little bit of everything. All
the ingredients for a tantalising recipe. It just remains to be seen what
else Super Slav can rustle up.
We rode our luck at times against City but as any gaffer knows it's just as
important to be lucky as it is to be good. Bilic has got it right so far on
three massive occasions. It has never been done in the Premier League before
let alone by a West Ham manager. He's a cool customer, a deep thinker.
Listening to his post match is an education. There are few predictable
cliches and he explains his methods and tactical decisions in detail. It is
wonderful for us as students of the game but he may need to keep his cards
closer to his chest as the weeks and months draw on and teams learn more
about our new players and the Croatian's approach.
Bilic is used to winning and having the pressure of being expected to win.
We long-suffering supporters are not. He's trying to change that. Imagine
West Ham with a winning mentality! It's enough to make me delirious. Whether
he can really achieve something like that remains to be seen but I'm excited
to find out.
This time last year we showed terrific promise and played some superb
attacking football, scoring some wonderful goals and sealing victories home
and away…then our performances fell flat. Now is the time to push on.
Norwich isn't a must win, nor a litmus test, but it is a game I expect us to
win…and I'm enjoying this newly acquired confidence.

Right…off to do my day job now. I know there is a certain WHTID member out
there who hates it when I put pictures up. So just for you…here are some
gratuitous photos of me courtesy of the wonderful Amy Maidment Photography
(@amymaidment).


Come on you irons!!

B X

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Bilic deserves credit for proving doubters like me wrong
ironviews.com
By Joe Taylor on September 24, 2015 in Opinion

There's a special feeling reserved for proving people wrong. By the time
Slaven Bilic had been appointed West Ham manager, it was well publicised
that he was neither first, second or third choice for the job on the board's
shortlist.

The omens weren't promising and sceptics tipped West Ham to struggle
compared to the mid table security that Sam Allardyce had almost guaranteed.
Journalists lined up to tell fans just how risky it was to twist instead of
sticking (I include myself in that camp, much to my regret). Some even
tipped the club for relegation, citing the difficult away ties that
dominated the start of the fixture list.

The latter would certainly been much more likely had the board not backed
their new manager in the transfer market. The additions of Dimitri Payet,
Pedro Obiang, Alex Song and Angelo Ogbonna, however, showed that while they
couldn't silence all the critics straight away, they were in no doubt about
how much they trusted Bilic.

That same trust was there from the board when Allardyce took charge, but a
section of the fanbase had always been sceptical. Through his demeanour and
ability to pull off the unexpected, Bilic has been given the same affection
shown to Garry Monk at Swansea, as both player and now manager. Unlike his
predecessor, he has managed to unite the supporters behind a genuinely
charismatic and considered person. Sam Allardyce deserves credit for helping
the club win promotion and creating the stability that the board will now
look to continue, but for all his merits as an experienced and savvy
manager, his taunting and cajoling of club traditions and supporters gave
the impression of insincerity and coldness.

Fans expected some sort of contrition or apology from the manager after the
now infamous 5-0 mauling at the hands of Nottingham Forest in the 2014 FA
Cup, but it never came. In contrast, Bilic will be genuinely frustrated that
his side have lost in a competition that they haven't ever won. If sustained
until May next year, that drive and determination to succeed will endear him
to supporters even more.

For all the talk of flaring tempers before his arrival in England, Bilic
hasn't been sent to the stands since the first Europa League game of the
season and has been remarkably calm and collected so far, even after feeling
hard done by against Leicester on Tuesday night. Barking orders at the
players hasn't really been needed – instead, the players have simply
listened to his instructions from the touchline.

All of this isn't to say that Bilic isn't without his faults – everyone has
them, and few managers can ever claim to have come into a new club and not
made mistakes at the start of their tenure. The defeats to Bournemouth and
Leicester are still not quite out of mind yet. In addition, playing so many
first choice players for all 120 minutes in mid-week against Leicester,
rendered fruitless by the end result, leaves some that bit more tired going
into a winnable home game against Norwich on Saturday.

This is arguably the first job in his domestic management career that Bilic
hasn't been expected to qualify – eventually – for the Champions League.
West Ham co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan have given their trust to
the new manager and would love to see European cup football at the Olympic
Stadium in its debut season, but there is realism within that expectation.
Their team may sit 3rd in the Premier League but, with only six games
played, there is still time for the table to adjust and equalise over the
course of the remaining 32 fixtures.

But after many were predicting a start to the season filled with doom and
gloom, Slaven Bilic currently has a win percentage of 54% in all
competitions (albeit after only 13 games). The length and physical intensity
of the Premier League season will test the depth of the squad in a different
way, but they are still adapting to a new way of training.

It's good to be proven wrong on occasion – I'm quite happy to be in this
instance.

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Dimitri Payet is rated in the same bracket as David Silva by top clubs,
claims Slaven Bilic
By HARRY SLAVIN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:30, 24 September 2015 | UPDATED: 14:09, 24 September 2015

Slaven Bilic believes West Ham United's star man Dimitri Payet is held in
the same regard as David Silva by Europe's top clubs. The Frenchman has made
a flying start to life with the Hammers since signing from Marseille in the
summer, grabbing three goals in his first six league appearances for the
club. Payet has earned praise from every angle since arriving in east
London, including from his own team-mates, with goalkeeper Adrian suggesting
the 28-year-old had magic in his boots, and Bilic is sure that Payet would
be at the top of any team's wishlist.
'He's fared really well,' said the West Ham boss. 'I've been saying all the
time that he's the kind of players most Premier League clubs in Europe are
trying to get – whether that's Silva, or Payet, or that one or that one.
He's a special player. He was special at Marseille. He was a deep playmaker
which is probably the most difficult position to play in football. We're
going to do everything to protect him but also to give him responsibility to
continue like this and be even better.' Payet will be looking to hit top
form again this weekend when West Ham welcome Norwich City to east London.
He scored twice as the Hammers secured their first home win of the season
against Newcastle, following disappointing defeats at the hands of Leicester
and Bournemouth. And following another impressive away success at Manchester
City last weekend, which saw the club rack up their third win on the spin,
Bilic admits his side need to improve on their Upton Park record if their
unprecedented away form is to count for anything. 'The last home game we won
against Newcastle and it was crucial then to win that first home game, which
we didn't do against Leicester and Bournemouth,' said Bilic. 'Of course it
would be nice (to keep the winning run up) and it's important to keep that
winning streak going. It would be nice to get four wins out of four but we
know this is the Premier League. 'Norwich are a really good team, not just
because it's a Premier League team but because they've started really well.
They defend as a unit and you can't hurt them with predictable passes.'
Meanwhile, Bilic revealed West Ham have no new injury problems following
their Capital One Cup defeat at Leicester on Tuesday, while Andy Carroll is
pushing hard in training for a place in the starting line up. 'He couldn't
do more in training,' said Bilic. 'He's working hard. But after seven months
he's lacking match fitness. He's still missing that crucial 10-20 per cent.'

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