I thought you might be interested in a Q&A I did for the Evening Standard sports pages. The original is HERE
What’s your target for the club’s forthcoming season (Incl. predicted finish)?
Any club with a new manager always has high expectations. Last season, after a fantastic start we underperformed dramatically and finished 12th. This season the aim has to be to finish in the top half and I think 8th is a realistic target as a springboard into the Olympic Stadium. We have the players to do it.
Which one player would you like to see your club sign before the transfer window closes (realistically)?*
Our weakness over the last two years has been that our main strikers have been injured too often. Our main priority has to be to sign a goalscorer, and that man is Charlie Austin. He’s similar in style to Diafra Sakho and vaguely like Andy Carroll. He’s proved himself at all levels. The Davids need to get their checkbook out. And if it isn’t him, let’s go for Chicarito!
Starting XI this season based on current squad (Incl. formation)?
4-2-3-1
Adrian, Cresswell, Jenkinson, Ogbonna, Reid, Noble, Kouyate, Payet, Obiang, Valencia, Sakho
Which fixture are you most looking forward to? 50-100 words explaining why
Perhaps somewhat strangely, the fixture I look forward to is playing Norwich, as they are my second team and I have written a history of Norwich City. Alex Reid has done a fantastic job and I really hope they survive this time. Having said that, I hope we take six points off them.
Which signing are you most excited about?
There is only one answer to that question. Dimitri Payet. In his debut in a friendly at Southend he scored two goals from outside the penalty area, laid on the third and put in a performance that was awe-inspiring, so much so that Southend manager Phil Brown asked Bilic to sub him. We love a playmaker with an eye for goal and Payet seems to be the real deal. He cost £14 million, our second highest ever fee. So far he looks worth it, but he now needs to prove himself in the Premier League.
Which young player excites you the most?
We have quite a few young players coming through. Diego Poyet has looked excellent and could well replace Kevin Nolan, while 16 year old Reece Oxford looks a real prospect. He’s a tall, gangly central defender but has played in central midfield in the Europa League. He’s got the languid style of a young Rio Ferdinand and I expect him to get quite a few substitute appearances under his belt this year, or to be sent out on loan to get some experience. An England player of the future.
Who’s the most important player in your team?
Whoever plays at centre forward is the most crucial player. And the most crucial thing is they stay fit and score goals. Diafra Sahko will certainly be in that position for the first couple of months, and when Andy Carroll gets fit (no, don’t laugh) they can duke it out. Sakho scored ten in 23 games last season. I have no doubt he’d have scored double that if he’d been fit throughout the season. That has to be his aim this time.
Who’s the weak link in your team?
I could repeat what I wrote above for goalscoring has always been our problem under the last few managers. Dean Ashton was our last semi-prolific goalscorer, and if we don’t have someone in that position who can hit the back of the net regularly, that will be our downfall this season. Otherwise it’s Kevin Nolan, who I’m afraid has reached his sell-by date. He will be replaced by Pedro Obiang or Diego Poyet.
Which opposing player will get booed the most at your ground?
Now that Frank Lampard has departed these shores, I suspect the most hated ex West Ham title is passed to Jermain Defoe, mainly because of the way he left us 12 years ago. Yes, we have long memories. Defoe and Lampard have one thing in common. They invariably score when they return to Upton Park. Perhaps we need to cheer Defoe when he comes back this season. That might put him off his stride.