Slaven Bilic has admitted  he “smelled complacency” at West Ham ahead of the club’s start to the new campaign.

“We got a bit of that complacency,” he told Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves.

“I smelled it. I didn’t know and at the end of the day I am the first to say that it is my responsibility, always, because I am the manager here.

“I smelled it during the pre-season when I spoke to the press. You have press conferences even in pre-season and before our qualification games for Europa League and 70 per cent of the questions were about Champions League.

“‘What are you talking about?’ was in my head. On one hand you don’t want to be pessimistic, but on the other hand – and I was talking about it to my staff – if they are asking me those kind of questions they are asking the players the same kind of questions.

“What is the reason? We are not afraid of anyone, but why are we talking about Champions League?