Slaven Bilic can turn things around at West Ham United if he follows the lead of the man in the hotseat at former club Everton, Ronald Koeman.
Is the bubble bursting for West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic?
Infighting amongst fans, resentment towards owners and concerns over safety at the club’s new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home have soured the Hammers’ campaign so far.
Bilic‘s side have lost five of their opening seven Premier League matches, picking up just four points from 21 so far.
The Hammers were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu for the second season running.
West Ham United’s Adrian, Dimitri Payet and team mates look dejected
It is a far cry from last season when West Ham enjoyed their best ever points total of the Premier League era, recorded a first positive goal difference since 1986 and finished just four points off the Champions League places in their emotional farewell campaign at Upton Park.
As a result Bilic finds himself under intense pressure for the first time since taking over last year.
But he can turn things around if he follows the lead of Toffees manager Koeman.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman
Speaking to Jamie Carragher ahead of Everton’s game against Crystal Palace last time out, Koeman – who has led Everton to their best ever start to a Premier League season – revealed he had done a lot of research before deciding how to approach games at Goodison Park.
“I spoke to a lot of people about what the supporters expect and did a lot of research and at home we press because that is what the fans want to see in the stadium,” Koeman said on Sky Sports Friday Night Football.
That is exactly what West Ham did so well last term and was a major factor in their success and losing just three times at the Boleyn Ground all season.
Bilic must follow Koeman
This season, though, through a lack of workrate and a peculiar change in tactics West Ham have treated their home games like away matches, sitting off the opposition with no visible plans to press the ball.
The insipid tactics were on display yet again against Middlesbrough in the 1-1 draw last time out with far too much respect shown to a newly-promoted side.
Koeman’s early season success at Everton, together with his impressive couple of seasons at Southampton have seen him cast a shadow over the achievements of Bilic.
Every club that has enjoyed a good start to the season has employed a pressing game so far.
The old adage ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ seems apt for Bilic this season and the former Croatia boss must be humble enough to accept he needs to change his style and fast to rescue the Hammers’ season.
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