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Eddie B 11:50 Fri Sep 16
Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

The home defeat by Watford was a big disappointment for everyone but we have to learn and move on. We have had a couple of meetings since then and they have both been productive. Last season, we did well and I believe we can at least emulate that this time.

It is also natural that, because of where we finished in the Premier League, plus the move to our new home, expectations have risen.

If we think, though, that we can win any game just because we moved stadiums or because we did well last season, then it is a big mistake.

I don’t think that sort of attitude started with the players but it was reflected in the performance against Watford and we have to eradicate that immediately.

We have to get back that edge – that hunger we showed throughout last season. A defeat such as that last weekend can be — should be — a turning point for us. We have to react.

Okay, we can, we will, lose other games but not in the way it happened against Watford.

You can find excuses for anything in your life. When I was late for an appointment today I could find excuses but I didn’t feel good about it. I’m going to try not to be late again.

Yes, I want us to play attractive football and to entertain our supporters but that is the cherry on top of the cake. What we must not forget is what helped us to the point of having praise heaped upon us last season and — for some of the players — new contracts.

What brought us all the good things were basics, like running for each other, defending as a team, playing all the time like it is the last minute of the final game of your life.

That is what we must remember and that is what we have to do again.

What gives me hope and belief is that we did it last season. I’m not showing them videos of Atletico Madrid and saying, ‘listen, you should be playing like these guys’.

Okay, we have done it for some of the time this season but you have to do it all the time. That is what serious football at this level is all about — to do it minute after minute, day after day, week after week. That is the key.

Then, when we are doing that, we can try rabona after rabona.

Yes, we could hypothetically score some spectacular goals from free-kicks in every match but if we defend like we did against Watford, we will still lose.

I’m expecting a big-time response tomorrow at West Brom. We have to dig in and, if we do that, I fear no-one.

One thing more on the match. I didn’t moan after the Chelsea game, where Diego Costa could have been sent off, or against Manchester City, where Sergio Aguero could have been dealt with similarly.

I’m not moaning now, either, but under the change of rules, explained to us before the season started, when the long ball was played upfield by Watford, three of their players were offside by a long way.

The goal should have been disallowed had the rule been interpreted correctly and I am convinced it would have been a totally different game.

Yes, we played badly on the day and we still could have lost, but that goal should not have counted.

It is a surprise to me that no one picked that up in the hours and days after the match.

ludo21 11:57 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Slav talks a lot of sense.... just hope the players are listening.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.... spank WBA and last weekend will be forgotten.

Lily Hammer 11:57 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

All the righ tthings said, now the walk must be walked.

Come on, West Ham!

Sven Roeder 11:57 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

This is the message the players need.

Was also surprised that there was no analysis of offside on the Deeney goal.
That was my first thought when he moved towards the ball but seemed to be totally disregarded.

TCHammer444 12:13 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Yes wise words from Slav, he is expecting a big response, lets hope the players do this.

As you say time to walk the walk

jimbo2. 12:32 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

We have had a slow start in the EPL, losing 3 of the four games so far. However, only the Watford game was really poor, similar to Bournemouth at home early last season. Although we didn't really deserve anything away at Chelsea & MC, we could have got a point from both games. We scraped Bournemouth at home this season, not the best game. Had we beaten Watford and we would & should have if we defended properly, our start would have been ok. Win at WBA & things will be on the up. I think we can beat them & the players will be up for this one!

Russ of the BML 12:33 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

This is why I love Slav. He is intelligent enough to see what's needed and change it.

There's nothing worse to have a manager and be on a losing streak and he doesn't have the ability or knowledge to know what to do to change it. Like many managers we had down the years.

When we lose I know Slav hurts as much as me and all the rest of us. But he knows what to do.

In Slav we trust.

Lily Hammer 12:34 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

If the players are not 100% up for this, then the season will be looooong.

Private Dancer 12:38 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Pointless drivel and I stopped reading it...the proof will be in the pudding tomorrow, not in the Evening fucking Standard.

SecondOpinion 12:43 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

"playing all the time like it is the last minute of the final game of your life".

Sobs hysterically.............
I LOVE YOU SLAV

boleyn8420 12:51 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Lets hope he also leaves out the players who think they don't have a right to be in the starting line up or who just are not good enough, Collins, Noble should be a start

13 Brentford Rd 12:59 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

"We have to learn and move on"

The problem is we don't.

Sven Roeder 1:03 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Watford was the first time this season we have had anything like our best team. And we were atrocious
Good teams bounce back and it's all about the reaction tomorrow.
Nothing less than a win is acceptable

Pervy McBeer 1:03 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

I love the way Slav speaks and always usually read his interviews but am getting a little frustrated as they make so much sense and offer so much promise and yet come match day, it all falls flat on it's face. Whether it's because the players aren't doing what they're supposed to be or whether Bilic is just good at talking the talk I don't know.

Fifth Column 1:03 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

He's right about the offside thing. Appalling decision from the officials. I said it before the ball was even in the net that he should clearly have been blown for offside. As soon as he chased the ball down he was interfering with play from an offside position. Was bizarre MOTD didn't even mention it - shows they don't know the rules.

Vexed 2:31 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Bore off Slav, this shit means nothing when you miss the blindingly obvious every week. I expect a draw at Brom, another poor result.

the exile 2:49 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

The thing about that Watford goal is that Collins was the first player to touch it. You often see that the lino doesn't flag until an attacking player touches the ball, not when they're just in an offside position. Not sure what the rule is on that.

Lily Hammer 2:54 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

the exile

The fact that Deeny was chasing Collins' heels means he was interfering with the play.

Definite off-side and another wrong decision that did not help us in any way.

Ho hum.

wansteadman 3:19 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

I came across that article that pointed out how we got the shit end of the stick from the refs last season. So far nothing's changed

mallard 3:46 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Had that goal been disallowed, we would have still lost the game

Fifth Column 4:35 Fri Sep 16
Re: Bilic article in today's Evening Standard

Exile

It doesn't matter that he didn't touch it as by chasing it down he forced Collins to play and so by definition was interfering with play.

An appalling decision by the officials (I am a qualified ref).

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