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Bilic - We have been waiting for this period

  • Bilic has been waiting for the Burnley and Hull games

  • The Hammers season could turn around in the next few weeks

  • Bilic knows the importance of getting back-to-back wins

 

Slaven Bilic has stressed the importance of the next two home games at London Stadium and says he has been waiting for the Burnley and Hull fixtures to come around.

The West Ham United manager was impressed with the character and determination his players showed during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday and hopes it will give them even more confidence as they look to get back on the winning trail at a crucial stage in the season.

The start of December was always going to be a tricky period for the Hammers after they were forced to play Tottenham, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

But Bilic always knew they would have the chance to get more points on the board playing teams in a similar position in the next few weeks and hopes it will be a different outcome as they head into the new year.

Bilic said: “We need to beat Burnley. We need points. I have a huge respect for Burnley and they are doing well. They are a tough team to beat, but we’ve been waiting for these couple of games.

“We’ve been talking about a tough schedule on paper with the four recent games. Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool is very difficult on paper and we were hoping to get something out of them.

“We were waiting to get through that period and then wait for these couple of home games and it has come now.

“We are thinking about Burnley now and have a good chance. We have to show our determination, our quality and determination together. We have to beat them.

Slaven
The Hammers manager also knows the importance of getting back-to-back wins and points to the example of Stoke who have now moved towards the top half of the table following recent victories over Watford and Burnley.

Bilic added: “Of course it would be great to have back-to-back wins. We already have examples of a few clubs who were in a similar situation.

“A few games ago I know Stoke had two or three games and suddenly they won and are out of the trouble zone and gain confidence.

“Now we are in that situation. I am expecting difficult games but we have to show mentality and character and what we showed against Liverpool a few days ago.”