James Collins has highlighted the positive impact the manager has had on his form
Ahead of the Hammers trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Tuesday 12 January, in-form centre-back James Collins praised manager Slaven Bilic for getting the best out of him.
The Welsh international admitted it was Bilic, a former centre-back himself during his playing career, who used a combination of tough love and honesty to extract the best from the experienced defender.
Praising the manager, Collins said: “I feel great, during pre-season, turning 32 was playing on mind a little bit. But now, I think I’m fitter now then I’ve ever been.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with me. If ever I need a day off from training he’s very understanding, so overall, I’m feeling brilliant.
“Credit to the gaffer, because at the start of the season he was deadly honest with me. It looked like I may have had to leave to find regular football. He pulled me in and said, ‘Yes you are fourth choice, this is the situation, but it can change, it’s up to you’.
"Since then I’ve worked hard in training every day, I come in with a smile on my face and when the chances have come, thankfully, I’ve taken them.”
Proof of Collins’ fitness and form, if it were needed, is the fact that ‘Ginge’ has started all of the last six games over a gruelling Christmas schedule.
Not only that, but he has excelled in each and every game; in that time the Hammers are unbeaten as well as keeping four clean sheets.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s encounter with the Cherries, Collins continued: “It’s another tough game. They came here early in the season and beat us 4-3, they struggled a little bit after that but they’re back on track now. They’re quite a force at home so it’s going to be difficult.
“But saying that, the quality of this squad is the best I’ve been involved with. We’ve got games coming up that, no disrespect to anyone, but with the squad we’ve got we know we can win. The injured players are coming back so it’s an exciting time.
“We’re approaching a very important part of the season, we’ve come through the Christmas period well but it’s important we maintain our focus, it’s a chance to pick up a lot of points in a short space of time.”
Further good news for Collins, who has the European Championships to look forward to in France this summer, was the two-year contract extension he signed recently, extending his time in east London.
The 32-year-old beamed: “It’s unbelievable to be able to sign another contract. This club has been very good to me and very good for me. I met my wife, I’ve now got three young kids, we’re very happy here. Both our families are very settled. I’ve trained hard, and will continue to do that.
“I want to thank the chairman and the manager, they’ve both been great with me and, of course the fans, who have always been behind me and make this club what it is really.”
The Welsh international admitted it was Bilic, a former centre-back himself during his playing career, who used a combination of tough love and honesty to extract the best from the experienced defender.
Praising the manager, Collins said: “I feel great, during pre-season, turning 32 was playing on mind a little bit. But now, I think I’m fitter now then I’ve ever been.
“The gaffer has been brilliant with me. If ever I need a day off from training he’s very understanding, so overall, I’m feeling brilliant.
“Credit to the gaffer, because at the start of the season he was deadly honest with me. It looked like I may have had to leave to find regular football. He pulled me in and said, ‘Yes you are fourth choice, this is the situation, but it can change, it’s up to you’.
"Since then I’ve worked hard in training every day, I come in with a smile on my face and when the chances have come, thankfully, I’ve taken them.”
Proof of Collins’ fitness and form, if it were needed, is the fact that ‘Ginge’ has started all of the last six games over a gruelling Christmas schedule.
Not only that, but he has excelled in each and every game; in that time the Hammers are unbeaten as well as keeping four clean sheets.
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s encounter with the Cherries, Collins continued: “It’s another tough game. They came here early in the season and beat us 4-3, they struggled a little bit after that but they’re back on track now. They’re quite a force at home so it’s going to be difficult.
“But saying that, the quality of this squad is the best I’ve been involved with. We’ve got games coming up that, no disrespect to anyone, but with the squad we’ve got we know we can win. The injured players are coming back so it’s an exciting time.
“We’re approaching a very important part of the season, we’ve come through the Christmas period well but it’s important we maintain our focus, it’s a chance to pick up a lot of points in a short space of time.”
Further good news for Collins, who has the European Championships to look forward to in France this summer, was the two-year contract extension he signed recently, extending his time in east London.
The 32-year-old beamed: “It’s unbelievable to be able to sign another contract. This club has been very good to me and very good for me. I met my wife, I’ve now got three young kids, we’re very happy here. Both our families are very settled. I’ve trained hard, and will continue to do that.
“I want to thank the chairman and the manager, they’ve both been great with me and, of course the fans, who have always been behind me and make this club what it is really.”