Slaven Bilic has completed his pre-Burnley press conference. Here are the highlights:
“Winston Reid is good. He had an operation and will be out for ten weeks, so he’ll be ready for the start of next season.”
“Declan Rice is one who may play – he’s in the squad. He’s great. He’s done very well for the Under-23s. He has a bright future.”
“It’s important to finish with a win. Still we can improve our position. We will give everything to try to win the game.”
“If we strengthen, settle down in the new Stadium and learn from this season, we will improve next season.”
“I spoke to Reece Oxford two days ago. It’s a shame he didn’t play at Reading. He needs a season playing week-in, week-out.”
“With Adrian, we had an option to extend his contract which we have done. He is our player and we’re very happy.”
So… should Under-23s skipper Declan Rice make his first-team debut at Turf Moor? Or will the Hammers revert to four at the back against the Clarets, with vice-captain Winston Reid ruled out?
With Mark Noble, Reid and presumably Andy Carroll out, who will captain the Hammers? For me, it has to be James Collins (by the way, thanks Ginge for giving my cousin’s ten-year-old son your boots during the lap of appreciation last week – shame a woman nicked one from out of his hands but he was still chuffed!).
It appears Reece Oxford is set for a season-long loan in the Championship next season. Personally, I agree with Slav in that the lad needs to be playing week in, week out and I think it could be exactly what he needs in his development – the key is ensuring he goes to the right club. Josh Cullen and Reece Burke, in my opinion, have had such successful loan spells at Bradford over the last two campaigns partly due to the fact that they have been playing in a successful winning side. A play-off chasing team is the least we should be sending Oxford to, rather than replicating Reece Burke’s experience this season at relegation-battling Wigan. Hopefully Oxford will get more game time next season than he has enjoyed in his stint at Play-Off Finalists Reading in recent months.
Finally, in my opinion, it’s tremendous news that Adrian has extended his stay at the club. He made the Spain squad at the start of this season, which is no mean feat, and is coming into the prime years of his career. I would still like to see the club sign improved competition for him though, and would not be unhappy to see Darren Randolph sold.