Well that was a cold wet fish-slap in the face wasn’t it? One minute I’m interviewing Super Slav about a consummate performance and three superb points won at the Emirates, the next I’m lamenting three points dropped at home and a three game ban for our keeper. It’s not so much “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” but rather, “meet West Ham…same old same old.” One step forward, two steps back.
Chris Kamara’s match reports down the line while I was doing the Bristol City game on Saturday made for grim listening. And yet I wasn’t surprised…
The week started so brightly for us after that award-winning performance against Arsenal on Super Sunday. Ok so it was only the LMA’s Performance of the Week award but I’ll take any trophy that comes our way. It means we’re doing something right. It was the first time I had met Bilic and I did “fan-girl” ever so slightly, telling him I had watched him and Dicksy virtually every week during my season ticket years in the nineties before joining Sky. He was happy with that. He was pleasant but very serious. I got the impression he wasn’t too keen on the attention being thrust upon the group after one winning match. He was sceptical about the hype, especially the intense focus on Reece Oxford, and would have preferred to fly under the radar after that result. Welcome to the Premier League Mr Bilic! I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to the boom and bust nature of the spotlight. One minute you’re a tactical genius the next you’re odds on to get the tin tack. He was right to want to play it all down and even without the benefit of hindsight I must admit I felt the same. West Ham have always had the uncanny knack of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and as a West Ham man he will have known that all too well.
When I asked him if he was looking forward to going back to Upton Park his reply was “big time”. I loved that. Unfortunately it wasn’t much of a homecoming but then again losing to Leicester City at the moment is no disgrace. They’ve continued the form that clinched their survival last season and one defeat in their last eleven league matches plus an incoming Tinkerman equals some pretty fantastic Foxes. Even our superior record over them had no negative effect.
What was pleasing was the fact that we didn’t fold, we didn’t sit back, we didn’t resort to lumping the ball and we played football right until the final whistle. Still, it must have been a hugely disappointing day for Bilic but this is where he earns his money. I think he’ll bounce back no problem. He’s a cool guy. He’s got swagger and an arrogance about him which every top manager needs. I don’t think he suffers fools gladly and I certainly wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of that steely glare but there is also a likeability there which, regardless of his previous Hammers links, would make the Upton Park faithful warm to him. He kicks every ball on the touchline and he’s a strong presence in the technical area. He says the right things. Whether he means them or not. Does it matter? West Ham is a special club with special fans and he wants to take us all to the next level. You’ve got to be happy with that.
I was impressed by him. There’s something about Slaven that you just admire. He definitely has an aura about him and you can see how he would command immediate respect from his team. He’s a thinker, he seems extremely methodical, well prepared and tactically astute. He went into great detail about his gameplan for Arsenal, his approach for the team with the ball and without and it was fascinating, I could have listened to him for hours.
Somehow that fell down this week. Even the best managers make mistakes or fail to mastermind weekly victories. What makes a great manager is the ability to learn from those mistakes, and to lead the team to the next win in the next game. That’s what we have to do on Saturday.
Unfortunately it will be without our charismatic goalkeeper who I also spoke to this week. Adrian was at the Olympic Stadium reservations centre to show new season ticket holders their seats. He was in great form. Super excited for the new season and spoke really well about the gaffer and how pleased he is with the new regime.
The players have adapted to Slav’s methods very quickly and are enjoying the change. He certainly wasn’t afraid to say he prefers the shift in style. He said it was a “different mentality totally, possession football, playing from goalkeeper to defence, a fast counter attack” and he pointed out he was used to playing this way in Spain so he has no problem playing with the ball at his feet. Famous last words. We will miss him between the sticks that’s for sure. As I write this there are rumours of a return for Robert Green. Seems a shame for Darren Randolph as I’ve watched him a few times for Birmingham and, despite what some online trolls might say, he’s a very good goalkeeper. Having said that Bournemouth put twelve past him last season…make of that what you will!
It’s still too early to come to any conclusions about where we are and what we’re capable of this season. But make no mistake, Saturday’s game is a big challenge. It’s a litmus test of sorts and will give an indication of our true mettle…and how ready for the Premier League our new manager actually is. Bournemouth have acquitted themselves well in their first two matches and will be no walk overs. Sing up! Show Slav he has the patience and full support of the best fans in the land.
Oh and by the way, whatever happens on Saturday, win lose or draw, I was working at The Den Tuesday night and all I have to say is…at least we’re not Millwall!
Come On You Irons!
B x