David Sullivan has piled the pressure on Slaven Bilic by going public with his expectations ahead of West Ham United’s crunch clash at Crystal Palace.
Don’t choke: West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic under no illusions after Sullivan comments
Bilic is a man under pressure after overseeing West Ham’s worst start to a season with five defeats from their opening seven Premier League matches.
With only four points from 21 so far the Hammers are facing up to what could be a long hard season.
The East Londoners were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu for the second season running, although now that looks like a blessing in disguise with the way things have panned out.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic celebrating last season
The club’s struggles are in sharp contrast to last season when they bid farewell to their beloved Boleyn with their best ever Premier League points total and a first positive goal difference since 1986.
Bilic is experienced enough to know he must turn things around quickly, particularly given the fact the club has just moved to its new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home.
On Saturday his side travel to in-form London rivals Crystal Palace knowing he is the favourite with bookmakers to be the next manager sacked.
Now Hammers co-owner Sullivan has ratcheted the pressure up even more by publicly revealing his expectations on the club’s official website ahead of the clash against the Eagles.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan
“We all know the importance of the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday and it is going to be another tough encounter,” Sullivan told whufc.com.
“Palace have started the season really well, but we have to get something, and I expect us to get something, from the game.
“We had a great result at Selhurst Park last season when we came away with a 3-1 victory and it would be great if we could get a similar result this time around.”
West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
While many Hammers fans would echo Sullivan’s thoughts, it is another matter when the club’s owner makes such a public statement.
Yes his words could help spark the team out of their malaise.
But should West Ham fail to get a positive result, it will undoubtedly prompt serious questions over Bilic’s future.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
