Friday 12 May 2017 18:41, UK
Slaven Bilic believes his West Ham players have gained a lot of valuable experience from a season he describes as "not enjoyable at points".
West Ham host Liverpool on Nissan Super Sunday - live on Sky Sports 1 HD - and go into their penultimate Premier League game on a five-match unbeaten run.
It will also be their final game at London Stadium this season, in what has been a tumultuous first year in their new home.
The high point was arguably their recent 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Friday Night Football, but lows came in the form of crowd trouble during an EFL Cup victory over Chelsea, heavy losses to Arsenal and Manchester City, and a 1-0 defeat to Astra Giurgiu, which saw them fail to reach the Europa League group stages.
The Hammers also had to contend with a hit-and-miss summer of recruitment and a 'bored' Dimitri Payet - who returned to Marseille in January. All of which made for a "very long" season, Bilic explained exclusively to Sky Sports.
"It was a very long season and one that was not enjoyable at some points," Bilic said. "But I'm sure that it will be the most valuable season for every one of us.
"It can help us lots for the future because you build your character - individually as a player, a manager.
"When everything is good you know, it's all cushy. But in the bad times, you are improving the most. That's what happened to us this season.
"That old saying, 'Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger', and it's really true. I know that we will benefit from this season big time. Was it enjoyable? In some games, of course it wasn't, but the amount of experience and energy you get from that, you can't buy it."
West Ham could yet finish the season in the top half having taken 42 points so far this season, but with safety already confirmed, Bilic can now focus on the task ahead.
Pace appears to be the desired attribute when looking at bringing players in, and Bilic revealed that he and the board will target players who will shine in the starting XI rather than just bolstering the fringes.
"We are missing pace," Bilic added "Before the season we had some players with pace, but in the last period of this season we are playing without [Michail] Antonio and [Diafra] Sakho, who have big pace.
"We are lacking pace and will look to get some players who have that quality in themselves.
"But everybody is looking for pace. But not only that, you want them to be skillful, good in the air. It's hard to get a complete player, but yes that is not a secret that we want to improve our squad with pacey players.
"We are going to keep it between us. We've spoken a few times already but of course we have a big meeting and a transfer window in front of us.
"We already know the positions and type of players that we want to get if possible, which is not easy, but that's why you have the list.
"When we play Liverpool now we are without eight, maybe more, players but we will put a strong team out. That shows we have a strong squad. We don't need many squad players. We need a few that will step into the first XI that can make the difference."
