After another poor string of results, a few West Ham fans are rightly criticising Slaven Bilic.
It isn’t the actual score lines that have been the main worry, rather it is the manner in which the losses have occurred.
In the Hammers’ most recent game against Bournemouth, they lost 3-2, gifting the Cherries their first win in three months. Not only did West Ham concede three but they also conceded two penalties that were both missed. Although these performances come from the players, we have to question the manager.
Bilic has recently been starting Cheikhou Kouyate at right back. Although Kouyate is one of the club’s best players HE IS NOT A RIGHT BACK!
We had the same situation last season where Bilic tried to play Antonio on the right side of defence. More worryingly though, it isn’t like we don’t have a right back. Sam Byram has been sitting on the bench for the last few weeks and hasn’t been given a proper run in the side to prove himself.
Secondly, after his most recent injury, Andy Carroll has not looked the same and although he is hugely influential for the Hammers, he has been unable to affect recent games. Bilic needs to see this and make sure he gets back to full fitness before he risks him as I fear it may make the England striker’s injury issues worse.
Lastly, his tactics. I cannot fault Bilic’s passion for the club. However, in the recent games, I’ve struggled to work out what it is that he wants the players to achieve. The players don’t seem to be playing direct but they don’t seem to be passing it around either. In truth, I’m not too sure what they’re meant to be doing.
I am being critical of Bilic but that does not mean I want him sacked.
He has seemingly lost his way in recent weeks with team selections and tactics and, in my opinion, there are a few obvious things that he could be doing that would stop some sections of the fan base getting on his back.
