Bilic is learning ….but perhaps a little too slowly

These sort of days may soon be behind us

Slaven Bilic is learning albeit a little too slowly for many of us!

I understand that sounds pompous and I apologise  but I simply couldn’t find another way of putting things after yesterday.

Mark Noble’s absence from the 90 minutes is the first time we can truly say he was dropped – no mysterious injuries, no tacrical explanations. Just dropped. Overdue Slav!

On the bench for 90 minutes and when it was time for a half time change when the awesome Pedro Obiang show took place.

We all love Noble of course but this was overdue and in no small measure the omission saw a quicker team in operation genuinely showing some real tempo at times.

This may have been the moment when Mark’s West Ham career went into it’s final descent as a first team regular. That time has been drawing close and it was an inevitability.

It seems Slaven has finally come to the same conclusion as many but personally I believe it’s taken too long. However better late than err – sometime in the future.

Having hopefully dealt with that one wonders just how long the manager requires to realise that Andy Carroll is not the answer to his front line problems – he’s an impact sub at best.

Last week I spoke with Frank McAvennie who knows a little bit about what a top striker requires. He was adamant that Diafra Sakho is unquestionably the best striker at West Ham.

A few days later Tony Cottee was repeating the same line on the official website – are our best two strikers in years both wrong?

We understand there are issues surrounding the bloke but whilst he is fit, on the staff and desperate to play he and Chicarito look the answer and should it not work IMMEDIATELY surely he deserves the same sort of chance as AC to show what he can do.

Much has been made of Little Pea’s body language after being hooked yesterday – imagine how Sakho must be feeling after scoring and assisting when called on this season.

I am hoping too that the Aaron Cresswell situation is suitably addressed by giving Arthur Masuaku a run and whilst Arnautovic needs more time the jury has to remain out on Bilic’s record signing

But for now, with the Noble situation seemingly solved, the manager really does have to realise that a continuing persistence with Carroll as his No 1 is inflexible and obstinate. Nor is it working!

A decent win with a new strike force against Brighton would help his thinking processes immeasurably – hopefully.

COYI