Wednesday, March 29

Should Bilic be under pressure?

Several papers are claiming that Slaven Bilic's position could be under threat if he doesn't get results in his next three games. The Evening Standard had a double page feature pointing out that West Ham haven't won in five games, haven't kept a clean sheet for eight gams and have the fourth worst defensive record in thePremier League. 

The Daily Mirror claims that West Ham are considering another approach for Rafael Benitez, who might be unhappy with a lack of signings at Newcastle. Two days previously the Mirror claimed Reading's Jaap Stam was being considered. While the Sun claims Slaven will be sacked if he doesn't achieve a top ten finish.

Though from what the Daily Telegraph says, the board are not going to offer Bilic a new contract this summer, but wait and see how he does next season in the final year of his contract, which seems sensible. 

David Sullivan issuing an apology to supporters after the home defeat to Leicester seems to have got the papers speculating. Though we should remember that Sullivan is a fan and reacts emotionally after defeats, as we all do. The history of Sullivan and Gold suggests that they normally stick with managers until the end of their contracts. 

NOT THE TIME TO PANIC
It's hard to see what benefit there would be in changing the manager with nine games left. A new manager will still be without Ogbonna and Obiang for the rest of the season and Reid and Antonio will still be out short-term. A new man might be able to organise the defence a bit better, but that's a big gamble.

The owners will certainly be mindful of filling the new stadium. Bilic has made mistakes this season in the transfer market and in not buying a right back, but he's also had to cope with a traumatic stadium move and Payet going on strike. After the successes of last season he certainly deserves to see this one out. 

Results have been poor, but the side has at least competed in the home games against West Brom, Chelsea and Leicester and Snodgrass and Fonte may well improve after poor starts. As we saw against Palace, the crowd are still behind Slaven and he now needs to concentrate all his energies on finding a team that can get another two wins. 

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