Slaven Bilic named as West Ham Manager (09.06.15)

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Comments

  • OldCastleSwiftOldCastleSwift
    The impression I got was that Feghouli and Nordtveit were more the board's decision (possibly because they were free). Might be way off mark, but I never got the feeling they were Slav's choices necessarily.

    Calleri was one of Sully's South American punts, Zaza something of a panic loan and Masuaku a necessity and by Slav's own admission not our first, or even second, choice.

    Tore was definitely a Bilic choice, and he's been poor.
  • eskimokingeskimoking
    alderz said:

    I just did some looking at the defensive error stats on Squawka, and I don't think that this is something new.

    According to Squawka, we've made 8 defensive errors, 6 of which have led directly to a goal conceded. That's 75% of defensive errors being punished with a goal. After 14 games, that's 0.57 errors per game, and 0.43 goals conceded per game due to a defensive error. On top of that, we've conceded 4 penalties, 3 scored. If you include these, it puts us up to 0.86 errors per game, and 0.64 leading to goals.

    Last season, we made 20 defensive errors 14 of which led to a goal conceded, 70%. After 38 games, that's 0.53 errors per game, and 0.37 goals conceded per game due to a defensive error. Including penalties (8 conceded, 6 scored), this puts us up to 0.74 errors per game and 0.53 conceded.

    Once you add the penalty stats in, you can see that we are making slightly more errors per game, and being punished slightly more. However, this has been an issue for Bilic's entire reign, so, arguably, he should have addressed that in the summer.

    The issue, to my mind, is that we scored 1.71 goals per game last season. This season it's 1.07. Last year, our defensive frailties were hidden because we were scoring freely. Without the goals this season our defense has nobody to bail them out.

    I will be stealing this. I keep saying to my mates that our problem is upfront, not in defence, despite the goals conceded and they think I'm an idiot!

    It also appears to me that the ball isn't sticking to our front men as much so the ball keeps coming back at the defence too quickly.
  • YeoldhammerYeoldhammer
    OldCastleSwift said:

    The impression I got was that Feghouli and Nordtveit were more the board's decision (possibly because they were free). Might be way off mark, but I never got the feeling they were Slav's choices necessarily.

    Calleri was one of Sully's South American punts, Zaza something of a panic loan and Masuaku a necessity and by Slav's own admission not our first, or even second, choice.

    Tore was definitely a Bilic choice, and he's been poor.

    Depends what you believe, I am pretty sure both Slaven and the board have said all signings were agreed by both. So I can only assume that Slav wanted them.
  • alderzalderz
    I think the point with Tore, Nordtveit & Feghouli is that all three (regardless of who identified them) all seemed to be players with the right skills to suit the Premier League. We all know it's a risk to bring players in from abroad, and we've been unlucky with three missing the mark (so far) in one go.
  • YeoldhammerYeoldhammer
    Is it a case of being unlucky or poor recruitment though, none have excelled so did they really have the right skills to being with to suit the Premier League, i'm not so sure?
  • OutcastLondonerOutcastLondoner
    Feghouli and Tore were also obviously brought in to add depth for Europa and now look pointless given our failure to qualify. I think Feghouli can still prove he can better as well, he showed some energy in the Manchester United game. Tore looks completely rubbish.
  • alderzalderz
    I think being unlucky and recruiting poorly are kind of the same thing at this point. Let's not forget that it's the exact same scouting system that brought in a number if successes last year, so it can't be that the process is fundamentally wrong.

    The other thing, is that we don't know for certain that these players aren't suited to the league, they may just be in poor form. For me, if I hadn't seen Payet play before I would currently think he wasn't capable of playing in the league either.

    Personally, I thought that both Nordtveit and Feghouli would be good players for us, and have been mightily disappointed by the pair so far, but I do still think they are capable of turning it around.
  • LukerzLukerz
    alderz ;ok

    The window for me was not a disappointment due to signings and how they've turned out. I was more annoyed by the lack of funding provided which meant we couldn't afford more established players (those who have a proven record in England). As you said, on paper they looked capable.

    Nordtveit - Champions League experience, captain of his former club, international
    Feghouli - European experience, international, played for a respected club in Spain
    Zaza - international and Champions League experience, came from the biggest club in Italy, was in the Italy squad for a major tournament only in the summer
    Ayew - good first season in the PL (less of a risk) and another international, played for the biggest club (historically) in France
    Arbeloa - fantastic CV with trophies, big clubs, European experience, big club appearances

    Then you had Tore who was a punt. No real impressive CV and no track record in England. But was only a loan. Same goes for Masuaku. Was a punt, only bought as back-up who would not play when Cress was fit.

    Then you had the likes of Fletcher, Calleri, Fernandes etc who were signed for the future and not now, but have been used due to the poor impact of the previous signings.

    Nordtveit for me looks every inch a CB. I don't know why he can't be a Collins-esque player. I think he needs to move into CB, where he did well in pre-season, and stop taking up the Spector role of being Mr Utility (RB, CDM etc). Maybe he can get a start at Anfield as part of a proper back three, or we can partner him up with Reid as a two? Ayew for me will come good but he is playing in the position where we have the most competition. Feghouli has only had cameo appearances here and there. Too early to judge. I can't see Arbeloa or Zaza cutting it, though, nor Masuaku, Tore or Calleri.
  • grey_til_I_dyegrey_til_I_dye
    edited December 2016
    Lukerz

    the lack of funding provided which meant we couldn't afford more established players
    What, exactly, are you basing that claim on?

    The club bid £30m + for individual players - what did you want them to do?
  • MoojorMoojor
    grey_til_I_dye said:

    Lukerz


    the lack of funding provided which meant we couldn't afford more established players
    What, exactly, are you basing that claim on?

    The club bid £30m + for individual players - what did you want them to do?

    Personally, I would like us to only target bringing in 3 or 4 new players max, spend all our money on those few and then make up the numbers with players from the development squad.

    We brought in something like 9 or 10 players this season didn't we?

  • MrsGreyMrsGrey
    We may not have been intending to bring in that many, but we got hit by some late long-term injuries? ;hmm
  • FortuneseekerFortuneseeker
    Zaza has had five starts in the Premier League compared with Feghouli five as a substitute. The latter is a decent player but I doubt we will line up in a way to play to his strengths.
  • LukerzLukerz
    edited December 2016
    Bit concerned that Slav has already back-tracked on what he said last week. Either say it and stick by it or don't say it.
  • alderzalderz
    Adam ;ok

    Particularly as he's said that training has been good this week. No need to keep bashing them
  • YeoldhammerYeoldhammer
    edited December 2016
    in the bottom 3 now (unless a miracle at Liverpool happens) 3 games to save his job against Burnley Hull Swansea imo.
  • jay_in_cptjay_in_cpt
    And on Andy Carroll, who made his first start since August he added: “It’s no secret I’m a big fan of him. I’m not a big fan ‘cos he’s a cousin or relative. It’s what I see on the training pitch. He is a miracle. What he gives to the team is massive.”

    Slav speaking after the game about Andy..
    Just love that comment about cousin or relative ;ok
  • Slaven_Cups_His_BeardSlaven_Cups_His_Beard
    We're a different team with him
  • SwissironSwissiron
    What might have been with AC fit these past 3 years.....
  • Slaven_Cups_His_BeardSlaven_Cups_His_Beard
    Absolutely Swiss.....doubt we'd of struggled in 1.5 seasons of SA reign and we wouldn't of been in the situation we were this season.
  • Slaven_Cups_His_BeardSlaven_Cups_His_Beard
    Yeoldhammer said:

    in the bottom 3 now (unless a miracle at Liverpool happens) 3 games to save his job against Burnley Hull Swansea imo.

    Well he's right on track then isn't he......

    He always was and always will be the man, for this club at this particular time

    ;bowdown
  • chicagohammerchicagohammer
    I must admit that I recall saying, without any evidence whatsoever to back it up, the appointment of Slaven Bilic, just felt right.

    And despite some hiccups this season, it still does
  • MunichHammerMunichHammer
    I agree. This season was always going to be difficult. We had to cope with:
    a) the new stadium (any team moving seems to have trouble in their first season at their new home)
    b) expectations after last season
    c) the fact that the new signings didn't work as well as last year's
    d) injuries to important players at the start of the season
    and subsequently
    e) restless and impatient supporters, many of whom were unhappy with any combination of the above.
  • YeoldhammerYeoldhammer
    He's not out the woods yet but if he can get 6 points from Hull and Swansea he will probably get to the end of the season.
  • grey_til_I_dyegrey_til_I_dye
    Yeold

    I seriously doubt that the Chairmen think along the same lines as you re: Bilic. Certainly their public statements suggest none of the crisis scenario you seem to imagine.
  • Ravel49Ravel49
    Relegation

    Deal with it

    ;cool
  • LukerzLukerz
    edited December 2016
    We've had our best XI out over the last few weeks (the only games we didn't were the cup and Arsenal, and we shipped 9).

    Spurs (a) 3-2 - best XI
    Man Utd (a) 1-1 - best XI
    Liverpool (a) 2-2 - best XI (bar a natural striker)
    Burnley (h) 1-0 - best XI

    I think it's that simple. Once our key players were back, as long as they are putting in a shift, we are going to accumulate points, even if it isn't pretty. We have some talented players. Now that we've gone 3/5 at the back, and you look at the ability of those players in that five (Kouyate, Reid, Oggy, Cress), we are going to stop leaking goals and I can see many more 1-0 wins this season.

    I was gutted when we were humiliated by Arsenal, but the side we had out really was shocking.

    It's just a shame that we're not as free-flowing as we were last season. It was nice watching us score goal after goal every week.
  • Slaven_Cups_His_BeardSlaven_Cups_His_Beard
    All of our league wins have been 1-0

    Sam would be horrified

    ;wink
  • TheMadcapLaughsTheMadcapLaughs
    I can`t think of anyone I`d rather have than Bilic. One or two of his decisions have been a bit mysterious IMO, but overall I think he comes across really well. True, we haven`t been playing well, but a large number of goals conceded this year have been individual errors, nothing you can do about that. We have also been really unlucky with injuries and have not had a settled side all season. If, and its a big IF we can keep our core players fit for a decent run I KNOW we will be OK. I also hope he keeps with the youngsters on the bench and uses them if we are comfortable in any game ;lol Toni Martinez must also be knocking on the door, he keeps scoring for the reserves. If we stick with Bilic we will turn it around. ;scarf
  • VorselaarhammerVorselaarhammer
    Asking a manager to win games when you have no striker of quality is like asking a fireman to use a hose made of chocolate.

    Ayew / AC / Sakho to miss them all was always going to hurt us.

    Against Burnley the team were getting used to having a striker that wins the ball again, once the MF get the confidence they will be making more late runs etc into the box.
  • WHU_Champo_league_in_7_yearsWHU_Champo_league_in_7_years
    edited December 2016
    Like us I think Slaven just expected more from our new signings as they all came with good reputation

    Zaza was an international striker
    Feghouli an international winger
    Nordtveit was captain of a top 7 german team
    Tore was a dangerous winger
    Masuaka was a talented wing back
    Calleri had a good goalscoring record
    Arbeloa was greeted by the fans as a great signing

    He has been let down by these players who have pretty much all been awful, a lot of money was spent on them so it doenst surprise me that he tried to give them game time to help bed them in but it came at a cost and we lost points because of it

    He's learnt that those players can't be trusted and has stuck with the team that got us to 7th last year and included the 2 youngest but most impressive players we bought in Fletcher and Fernandes

    Tore is out for the season, Zaza is effectively out the team and on his way back to Italy and the others have to settle for a bench place

    If we can keep the players that did so well last year fit we will pick up points and bilic is the man to do so

    Pre season is such an important part of the season and we had to do it without Cresswell, Payet, Lanzini, Carroll, Sakho, Ayew etc big players that we needed to have big seasons
This discussion has been closed.