Reviewing Slaven Bilic’s first season at West Ham
Be careful what we wish for? It turned out quite alright, thank you. Despite finishing seventh in the Premier League, following Manchester United’s FA Cup Final victory over Crystal Palace, West Ham have snuck into the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League. It was the bit of luck needed to bring Slaven Bilic’s first season as West Ham manager to a successful conclusion.
With eyes on the top four with only three games to play, the Hammers did fall from grace. Qualifying for Europa League reduces the sting of the slip up.
While it was not a surprise title winning season like Leicester City enjoyed, 2015/16 was the right stepping stone for West Ham entering into a new era for the club. It all centered around the Boleyn Ground’s 112 seasons, and looking forward to the Olympic Stadium. With the pressure of a proper sendoff campaign for a keystone structure of east London, Bilic transformed Upton Park into a fortress for West Ham.
In 22 home games between the Premier League and FA Cup, the Hammers only lost four. Two losses in August against Leicester and Bournemouth. One FA Cup loss in April to Manchester United. Then, the only truly horrendous loss, the 4-1 beating by Swansea City in May.
West Ham set a club record for fewest Premier League losses, with eight. Their five away losses set a record for lowest suffered in a campaign, beating out seven in 2008/09. Three home Premier League defeats, while impressive, did not surpass the 1998/99 record of two losses.
West Ham can breathe a sigh of relief to have reached the Europa League after such a lackluster performance against Swansea City in the penultimate match at the Boleyn Ground. Thankfully, it was not the ultimate match. West Ham sent Upton Park off with a bang in the 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
Focusing on the team’s performance, the match had everything which Bilic’s sides seem to personify. The late comeback was a perfect example of the West Ham mentality and passion. It was the perfect way to finish off 112 years at the Boleyn Ground.
West Ham’s run to start the season, beating all of the top clubs, settled Bilic in nicely with the players and the fans. On match day one, the Hammers defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Emirates Stadium. Then, West Ham beat Liverpool and Manchester City, both away from home.
For some, all Bilic should have aimed for was to avoid relegation. To have entered into the Olympic Stadium as a second division club would have been a nightmare. Bilic did more than avoid it. West Ham finished with 62 points, a record number for the club.
The doubt by many to start Bilic’s reign at West Ham makes qualifying for the Europa League that much more satisfying. While the Hammers may have to wait before playing at the Olympic Stadium, the Europa League can help to attract talent to east London.
The Hammers have already signed Havard Nordtveit on a free transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Norwegian centre defensive midfielder should only be the start of West Ham’s busy summer transfer window.
West Ham’s 65 goals in 38 Premier League matches, a club record, does not eliminate the need for a top striker. Dimitri Payet and Andy Carroll led the squad with nine goals each, but a 20-goal potential striker would vastly improve West Ham’s firepower.
What will next year bring? It seems fairly certain that no one will pick Bilic for a relegation fight. To push closer to the top four teams is the logical next step. The Hammers have a world class stadium, and after the transfer window, should have a clinical striker to lead the charge to Champions League places.