Slaven Bilic says his players believe the Club is moving forward
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic believes his side’s fantastic form is down to the players’ belief that the Club is moving forward.
The Hammers picked up a 2-2 draw at champions Chelsea on Saturday to end a week in which Cheikhou Kouyate extended his stay at the Club.
Dimitri Payet was also recalled to the France national squad due to his impressive performances and Bilic said his players are relishing turning out in claret and blue.
He said: “Cheikhou [Kouyate] signed, which is great for the Club. and Dimitri [Payet] is in the national team.
“It shows that the players are enjoying playing for West Ham and they feel that the Club is moving forward.
“They like to work hard when they know that the board is not just trying, but that they are keeping the best players. It’s great to have them all.
“We are playing good. We have a good team, we have momentum, we have character and we are defending well with numbers and passion.
“When we have the ball we are calm, and we’re calm at the back. The midfield and up-front has pace and quality so it’s great to work with this team.”
Looking back on the draw at Stamford Bridge, the Croatian was pleased with the point but couldn’t help be disappointed that it wasn’t more.
“We played fantastic [against Chelsea] and it was a really good game of football. We came really close to winning.
“Of course, they are champions and have a good team, but I think we deserved to win this game and we were basically the better team.
“It’s never a bad point – we are playing Chelsea away. But the way we played, and the time we played them, and the way the second goal [is conceded] makes us totally gutted.
“But it was a fantastic game for West Ham fans and for me to watch. We played fantastic and we did great and we deserved more than a draw.”
The Hammers picked up a 2-2 draw at champions Chelsea on Saturday to end a week in which Cheikhou Kouyate extended his stay at the Club.
Dimitri Payet was also recalled to the France national squad due to his impressive performances and Bilic said his players are relishing turning out in claret and blue.
He said: “Cheikhou [Kouyate] signed, which is great for the Club. and Dimitri [Payet] is in the national team.
“It shows that the players are enjoying playing for West Ham and they feel that the Club is moving forward.
“They like to work hard when they know that the board is not just trying, but that they are keeping the best players. It’s great to have them all.
“We are playing good. We have a good team, we have momentum, we have character and we are defending well with numbers and passion.
“When we have the ball we are calm, and we’re calm at the back. The midfield and up-front has pace and quality so it’s great to work with this team.”
Looking back on the draw at Stamford Bridge, the Croatian was pleased with the point but couldn’t help be disappointed that it wasn’t more.
“We played fantastic [against Chelsea] and it was a really good game of football. We came really close to winning.
“Of course, they are champions and have a good team, but I think we deserved to win this game and we were basically the better team.
“It’s never a bad point – we are playing Chelsea away. But the way we played, and the time we played them, and the way the second goal [is conceded] makes us totally gutted.
“But it was a fantastic game for West Ham fans and for me to watch. We played fantastic and we did great and we deserved more than a draw.”