Slaven Bilic must bury the hatchet with the man who makes his side tick to save West Ham’s season

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Andy Carroll’s injury woes have once again left West Ham United in a predicament but this season has proved Slaven Bilic misses controversial star.

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.

Slaven 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’s Andy Carroll reacts

It was during that ill-fated Europa League campaign that Carroll picked up the latest in a long line of injuries during his career.

For Hammers fans it was no surprise, even if they had hoped to finally get some value for money from their £18million man after he completed a full pre-season for the first time in many years.

Carroll’s absence has been held up by many pundits and fans as a key reason why West Ham have underperformed so badly this season.

Diafra Sakho celebrates

But in order to save the Hammers’ season, Bilic must find it in himself to bury the hatchet with controversial striker Diafra Sakho.

West Ham were at their frightening best under the former Croatia boss last season when the Senegal star led the line, stretching opposition defences with his tireless running and bringing others into play.

Injuries and off the field problems saw Sakho lose his place in the team culminating with a falling out with his manager ahead of last year’s 3-3 draw with Arsenal at Upton Park.

Sakho can be the hero again for the Hammers

The Hammers were never as fluent without him and the striker looked set for a £16.5 million move to West Bromwich Albion only to fail a medical.

His mobility, pace and aerial threat have been a big miss and on form Sakho is the man who makes the Hammers tick.

While it may go against his principals after being questioned by the player, Bilic must now find a way of reintegrating and reinvigorating the African as desperate times call for desperate measures.