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AlvinMartinAllen 1:10 Fri Jul 14
Bilic confident on transfers

Slaven Bilic takes training in Austria

Slaven Bilic says he is confident of adding one or two influential new players to his squad in the very near future.

Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and Head of Recruitment Tony Henry have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to capture the manager’s primary targets and, with a month to go until the 2017/18 Premier League campaign kicks off, Slaven is happy with how things are progressing.

“We are pretty close, but I prefer not to talk transfers, I prefer to work transfers,” said the Hammers boss.

“Make no mistake, we are working hard every day, but it is not easy. Some clubs, like Everton, are signing a lot of players, some are signing a couple of players, and some haven’t signed any.

“But that doesn’t mean they are not trying. I’m sure everybody is working, and everybody is trying to sign players.”

Slaven also emphasised the approach of the Club in this summer’s transfer window to place quality above quantity, and the need to remain patient in order to ensure that any new recruit is right for West Ham United and will improve not just the squad, but the starting line-up.

“It is important to remember that, towards the end of last season, we played without nine players who were injured, and still to be fair we did quite well, points wise and performance,” he said.

“So we have a squad. What we want is to bring in the quality that is going to improve our first 11. We have Pablo [Zabaleta] and I am really expecting to add a couple more soon.

“Everybody is talking about a striker, but it is very hard to find them,” added the Croatian. “We are working on it, but we are not going to get someone that we are not sure about.

“Especially as we are not looking at bringing them in to be just in or around the squad, or expect them to come good in a couple of years.

“We want someone to come in, put the jersey on, and play. And we are going to do it. We are working very hard, especially the chairman, but we are going to get someone that we really want.”

goose 1:12 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Bilic confident on transfers

Goose not so confident on transfers.

Eddie B 1:19 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

"but we are not going to get someone that we are not sure about" - so we'd rather go through the season with two permanently injured strikers, Carroll and Sakho, and two kids, Fletcher and Martinez.

Mike Oxsaw 3:20 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

I say just pay what it takes - especially as it's not my fucking money.

Trevor B 3:25 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

MO

and if we need 3 or 4 players and paying whatever selling clubs want for some players means we can only get 2 in, that's OK?

ooooh Morley Morley 3:34 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Now's the time to stop thinking about back filling squad positions and to start thinking about first team. I think Bilic's comments back that up. I don't want to see any comments on our transfers which say 'he improves the squad'. I want to know he improves the first team and if a first teamer from last season is pushed back to being the back up then so be it. No more room for sentiment, just improve the first team.

Bernie 3:34 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Cheers SLAVE son.

Trevor B 3:37 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

oMM

hopefully this means that he and the other two parts of the decision making team have learnt from their mistakes last summer when they wanted to bolster the squad for europe rather than improving the first 11.

ooooh Morley Morley 3:47 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

I hope you're right. I think the 'squad' is ok, it just lacks some quality in certain positions.

I'd rather we spent £30m on one quality player than buying 2 at £15m each.

We have some cracking youngsters who can fill out the squad positions.

pdbis 3:55 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Probably said something similar last summer.

Trevor B 4:00 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

oMM

Agreed

Swiss. 4:28 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

I think Arnautovic and Hart will happen.

btw not that I'm relying on them but whats the story with Carroll and Sakho?? Are they travelling with the friendly squad?

bubbleblower 4:31 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

"working tirelessly behind the scenes" - tick.

“It is important to remember that, towards the end of last season, we played without nine players who were injured" - tick - paves the way for "they are like a new signing"

"We are working very hard, especially the chairman" - as if you'd mention the chairman in an off the cuff the statement.

Trevor B 4:32 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Lewin said the other day that ALL players had travelled and mentioned that pre-season was as much about team bonding as it is about fitness and preparation, plus obviously giving him more time one on one with the injured lot.

Vexed 4:37 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

One or two ain't going to cut it Slav. I'm guessing he's talking about Hart and Arnautovic. We're starting with the awful Fletcher up top aren't we? You're a pathetic cunt Slaven.

Trevor B 4:38 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Vexed

to be fair mate he says he expects a couple soon, he doesn't say that's all we're getting.

FOMB 4:45 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

I think Hart, plus Arnoutavic plus a decent striker and we have the makings of a very good side

Hart
Zaba
Reid
Oggy
Cresswell
Obiang
Kouyate
Arnoutovic
Lanzini
Antonio
New Striker

Subs
Adrian/Randolph (depending who stays)
Fonte
Ayew
Byram
Masuaku
Carroll (when fit)
Noble

That's a decent first 11 with a bench full of players who could push for starting spots.

claret on my shirt 4:46 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

Slav is hardly likely to come on the OS and say he's not confident and the board have fucked up is he, some of you guys will buy anything they tell us!

dealcanvey 4:50 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

FOMB 4:45 Fri Jul 14

I agree. I dont think we would need anymore. Could even try and find a home for Sakho, fegs or snodgrass.

Time to put our faith in Burke, Cullen and Fletcher at times this season.

dealcanvey 4:51 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

claret on my shirt 4:46 Fri Jul 14

He is hardly going to say he turned down Iheanacho either! Works both ways!!

Trevor B 4:52 Fri Jul 14
Re: Bilic confident on transfers

deal

we have been trying to offload sakho for two seasons, nobody is going to take him. we have offered snodgrass as part ex for several players, and brighton amongst others are supposedly interested outright. feghouli looks to be off to galatasaray once we come to an agreement over his signing bonus.

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