As the season draws to a close and after the spectacular goodbye to Upton Park yesterday evening it is undoubted the hammers have had an excellent season under the stewardship of Bilic in his first season.
But with the move into the Olympic Stadium and the potential of European football very much on the agenda, what does Bilic need to do in order to maintain our level and push onto greater things?
Stability, stability, stability.
Whilst managers and players will never publicly admit that boardroom problems and speculation affect the team, it is obvious from seasons gone by that it does actually have an affect on things.
This is something that West Ham fans, staff and the manager currently do not have to be concerned about
Under the leadership of Sullivan, Gold and Brady, the club is on a secure financial footing with a very strong business and football minded board to assist them, and this is vitally important to Bilic in order for him to plan for next season.
It is often said in football that managers look to plan for the future, but as we have seen with the signings of established players such as Payet, Antonio, Sakho and Lanzini, it is of more importance to plan for the present. A club such as West Ham must sign players who can make an immediate impact to maintain all that we have achieved so far.
Our academy can and should be able to develop and nurture talent for the future, big money signings are for the present. This policy being highlighted by the potential signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal, rumours of which grow stronger by the day.
Walcott has cut an increasingly frustrated figure at Arsenal for the past 18 months and has all the attributes to really improve the side, coupled with the vast number of continental and international games already under his belt, he would be a really positive addition to the squad.
With a potential Europa League group stage entry next year, the number and quality of games for the season will of course increase and so must the size of the squad. Fringe players need to be moved on, along with those who have not met the levels expected of them, such as Valencia and Song.
And then we have exciting young talent like Samuelsen being given a role in the 1st team after a really positive 2015/16 season at Peterborough, joining the likes of Reece Oxford.
The right back position is of particular concern after Carl Jenkinson was forced to return to Arsenal early due to injury. Michail Antonio has deputised more than Bilic would have liked, but the incoming Sam Byram has suffered injury and, coupled with the lack of top flight experience, the depth of attacking talent has resulted in the reliable and increasingly important Antonio being asked to cover on a regular basis
Other than a trimming of the squad and the careful acquisition of players in key positions, Bilic will look to continue as he has started, to keep the spirit that is clearly growing amongst the group and hasn’t been since in a West Ham side since the Pardew era.
We have seen what the power of team spirit and determination can do with the Premier League title going to Leicesterm, who have this I abundance
More of the same next year please, Slav.
