News

Slav backs boys for big bounce back

Photo of Hugh5outhon1895 Hugh5outhon1895 | 09:13 14/04/16

SlavHonest Slaven Bilic has spoken of his massive disappointment at last night’s result and paid tribute to Manchester United.

In an interview with West Ham TV the manager said: “It’s a huge disappointment for us and for me, of course. The players are gutted but we have to admit they were the better side for the majority of the game.

They had the composure. We had the energy, but we didn’t have the quality in the phase of the game when we had the ball.
It wasn’t on the top level and that’s why we were really good in the first 15 and last 20 minutes, but apart from that they passed and kept the ball better. They stretched us and they deserved to go through. OK we created more than enough chances to equalise and to get the game into extra-time but it wasn’t to be. Their goalkeeper made a few good saves, but overall they were the better side tonight.”
“They are disappointed tonight and tomorrow but we have a few days until we face Leicester and we will bounce back.”
He added: “I spoke to their staff and they said it was by far the best performance from them in the last few months. They are Manchester United and they are capable of doing that and have done so on a few occasions this season. Second of all, I don’t think it has anything to do with the importance of the game and all that. Some players were not on a level and sometimes it’s hard to find a reason. There’s no big reason there, but it is enough at this level to lose that split-second or couple of yards.For some players, perhaps the game on Saturday took a lot out of them, but then they had a game on Sunday, so it may happen to them as well.

It was the small things we were lacking – composure on the ball and without that you can’t play fluently and that’s what happened in our game. We had our phases but we didn’t have our rhythm and their step was much quicker and stronger than ours.”

Bilic though backs his squad to come out strongly as West Ham continue their challenge for a UEFA Europa League place at Leicester City on Sunday.

He said: “No, no, no, the season is not over. We are still in this season big time. Of course it’s a huge disappointment but we have six big games and we’re going to try to finish as high as possible.

“They are disappointed tonight and tomorrow but we have a few days until we face Leicester and we will bounce back.”

Share this article

Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

‹ Previous
Next ›

0 comments

  • bubs says:
    April 14, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I believe you
    Leicester next and 3 points to make the league the most interesting in years,

Comments are closed.