The Croatian allowed the Hammers players a night out this week.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic before the game
Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas believes that Slaven Bilic was right to let West Ham United players blow off some steam this week after a tough start to the season – as he told Sky Sports News HQ yesterday (29/09/16).
West Ham’s start to life in their new home, the former Olympic Stadium, has not exactly gone according to plan.
They have struggled to string together any consistent form and are currently at the wrong end of the Premier League table. Add to that their elimination from the Europa League at the qualifying round and Hammers fans are understandably frustrated.
This week saw Bilic give the West Ham players permission to head out late on Monday night in order to bond and unwind.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
But amid press reports that perhaps some of the players ‘unwound’ a little too much, Nicholas believes Bilic still made the right idea.
He told Sky Sports News HQ yesterday (29/09/16):
“It’s the managers call. He knows he’s probably had his hardships with them and whipped a few into shape but got no response.
“It’s basic things that have gone wrong. The defensive issues are a mess and he’s not the type of character who accepts that. You wouldn’t like him staring at you and pointing you out.
“I think he’s tried the aggressive side and he’s gone for the softer approach. He’s tried to find the solution. There’s nothing wrong with it. I think it’s the right idea.”
West Ham’s Andy Carroll reacts
This might indeed be expected from a man whose nickname is ‘Champagne’ but it is fair to say that the West Ham crop might have needed to relax a little this week after struggling with the expectations on the team after last season’s success and the stadium move.
Hopefully they have blown off some steam and can pick up a good result this weekend.
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