Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has labelled Slaven Bilic’s decision to take a second string side to Romania for the second leg of their Europa League third round qualifier as “crazy”.
Southampton start their match against Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem tonight as favourite given a 3-0 lead.
“I have to make decisions, my decision is not to lose the game but to win it. There have been many unusual things but we knew from the start that it is not an ideal pre-season because we have had qualification, starting from the bottom.
“I don’t like the excuse, I don’t see it as a problem, it is a situation and I’m trying to cope with it.
However, when asked about Bilic’s decision Koeman did not hold back declaring: “It is a crazy thing to think about.“To throw everything away in the start of the Europa League legs. I don’t like that.
“I am a person who likes to win always and I hate losing. I hate to lose and that mentality needs my players as well.”
Fair enough and if it wasn’t this season I would make him right, he has a different mandate though to Bilic, Bilic is under instruction to prioritise the League so we go into the OS in the FAPL.
Agreed 32. Also, Southampton started in the 3rd Qualifying round, so again different issues for RK.
Well Koeman you *****, I hope you have a wonderful trip round Europe and fun in the championship next season! Arse.
Personally i think he is spot on.It is a stupid decision.Just because he is a manager of another team doesnt make him wrong!!
What the hell has it got to do with that cheating scumbag anyway. ****. If some reporter asked him,he should’ve said and rightly so,that it’s not his place to comment on other clubs and what they do. The fact that he’s probably right is irrelevant. Ha.
Koeman is right in my opinion .. If West Ham , REALLY want to win , they would field a First team and try to turn the result around . No ambition to succeed is being demonstrated wholeheartedly . As a Fan I would prefer to win tonight and give it a good go against Arsenal against the odds . West Ham have always tried to fight the odds , but to basically throw away our Eurooean chance is weak and unforgivable .
Sincerely hope the Boys can win tonight and put us through to next round . Then Bilic will have no option other than to take Europe more seriously .
I just can’t see where fans think we are going to get relegated,we are streets ahead of other clubs,
Watford ,Norwich,Leicester,Villa,WBA,Sunderland,Newcastle and Palace will not finish near us,Stoke,Everton and Southampton will be around our points,
And that puts us in the relegation zone
Don’t make me laugh
Completely agree bubs. I can’t understand why so many people are writing us off before the league has even started when their are teams like those you’ve listed in the prem
Having said that, we’ve been “too good” to relegated before. A squad with Di Canio, Sinclair, Carrick, Cole, Johnson, Defoe, Kanoute, James got relegated…
This is a bit of a non-story. He was never asked about West Ham’s decisions at all: Just check the video https://youtu.be/FDhCQ-0L6xs?t=648 More recycling of rubbish news stories
Sorry forgot Bournemouth to and if we can’t finish above them as well we might as well pack it in now
Not worried what he said just don’t understand how he negative approach by so many of our fans,
You spend the whole season trying to win tournaments and finish as high as possible in the league, for what to spend all week in the evenings watching the spuds and gooners play in Europe,
We have been given a wild card to get in the party and everyone wants to go home early,
I bet New Year’s Eve is great around some of these people
BORING
When we are in mid-table mediocrity later in the season people will be saying it would be nice to still be in Europe,lol,no pleasing some people bubs.
I saw this interview on sky sports news last night. Kidman made no mention of West Ham. I just thought he was talking about Southampton which I suppose he has every right to seeing as he is there manager.
Disappointed that this website has misconstrued Koemans press comments. Doubt He even cares what team we put out tonight.
We must also stop putting the cart before the horse and horse, we may just win tonight you never know .So lets criticise after the event, if and when its necessary.
I would add though, I am usually in agreement with Bubs thoughts, but, I wish I was as confident as He is about the league. Looking at the fixtures, I can’t see us having many more than ’20’ points by the New Year.
Well, now we know how it went. I must say I am very upset at Bilic. Any goodwill I may have had towards has now evaporated. If you’re going to rest the first-team, at least play the strongest team available. Where was Hendrie? Where was Burke? Also, he could have allowed one or two to play, even if they might figure on Sunday.
I fully expect all those who castigated Allardyce for giving up on the cups, to also castigate Bilic now. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Why give up any goodwill just on one result???
So he had to make a decision and he stood by it. He also knows what the priorities are. It’s not an easy decision to make as all the keyboard warriors on here make out.
Why is the sky blue ?why is rain wet, stop criticising you tosspotts.