Before the match the Last Post was played by a lone trumpeter so we could pay our respects to the fallen. The question is whether it should also have been played after the final whistle, given that this was surely Slaven Bilic’s last match in charge of West Ham.
I say that with no joy at all. I was delighted when Bilic was appointed as West Ham’s manager. His first season was superb. Last season wasn’t, even though we eventually finished 11th. This season has been a massive disappointment. We don’t seem to be able to play for 90 minutes. There are flashes of brilliance for 30 or 45 minutes but otherwise we have looked poor. Our fitness levels remain in question. Our players run less than other team in the League. That tells you something. We saw it today.
It seems to me there are several players who gave up on Bilic some time ago, and we all know who they are. I don’t think he’s lost the entire dressing room, but enough of it to make the difference. Given the signings we made in the summer we ought to be in the top half of the table. Instead we are flirting with relegation. The last time we had this few points in a season at this stage Avram Grant was the manager. And, well, we all know what happened to him. And to us.
If a change is going to be made, now is the time to make it. There are two weeks to find a replacement. There must already be a shortlist of replacements. If there isn’t, then someone isn’t doing their job properly.
I don’t necessarily want a big name manager. I certainly don’t want Roberto Mancini. I don’t especially want Benitez. There are plenty of British managers around, even if we can’t entice Eddie Howe or Sean Dyche at this point.
Let’s see if the Board agree that a change needs to be made, and whether that time is now.
UPDATE: Rumour is that David Moyes will be the new manager. I want to cry.