Big questions for Slaven Bilic

Much better and more to come – that’s the verdict on a badly needed victory over a Huddersfield team which had made a decent start to the season but were made to look distinctly ordinary last night.

Slaven Bilic decided on three at the back – which has always brought us more success – and with Andy Carroll looking right back to his best and Michail Antonio producing an awesome performance – the miseries of the last two weeks were put behind us.

Pablo Zabaleta must get a special mention when producing – for me – his best performance in a Hammers shirt!

Now the big questions will start to be asked – how does Mark Noble find a way back, who makes way for Marko Arnautovic  and, when ready in a fortnight, Manu Lanzini?

The harsh truth from his point of view is that the captain was not missed last night. We looked more progressive in midfield as a result with little of the sideways and backwards passing which has been a feature of our season so far.

Antonio’s pace and Kouyate’s energy, despite him not being at his best,  ensured we kept moving forward and with Carroll always a threat, this was a far better team, formation and tactical approach.

So we now look forward to Saturday and it will be fascinating to see how Slav makes room for the record signing – if indeed he does start him.

Slav likes to stick with a winning side and it could easily be that the Austrian international could start on the bench. Whether Noble joins him is a fascinating question. My personal view is that we probably won’t see him again until the Bolton Cup tie next Tuesday.

Hopefully Slav will stick with the same system as last night although there will be a temptation to return to a more defensive.e approach which hasn’t served us  well away from home.

Should he do that he will present himself with another  dilemma  in deciding who to play in the one up role – Hernandez or Carroll.

I hope he stays with last night’s team. The days of team tinkering needs to be put behind us.

COYI