Slaven Bilic tells West Ham to forget poor Everton record

Slaven Bilic says West Ham's poor record against Everton should count for nothing when the sides meet on Saturday.

The Hammers have won just one of the clubs' past 17 meetings, and that was a penalty shoot-out success in last season's FA Cup.

But Bilic is preparing for just another game despite his own links with Everton, where he spent three years as a player, and he wants his squad to have the same attitude.

"That is a lot," the West Ham boss said when he was asked about the recent run of results. "It must be eight years or so. I didn't know that to be fair, but it shows how difficult Saturday's game will be.

"It's a bit of a surprise to me, but it doesn't worry me too much because those games are in the past. It will only affect us if we allow it to. If we think about it too much then it might have an impact on confidence, but we should be able to deal with that.

"Every game is different, and you have to go and prove yourself from the first whistle every time."

Bilic left West Ham for Everton in the summer of 1997 and, asked whether a game against his old club was special, he said: "On one hand yes, on the other no. Every game is special for different reasons.

"Everton are a great side, big club with good players. It's a great test for us and I am looking forward to it, definitely yes."

Striker Romelu Lukaku has scored for Everton in each of the last six meetings between the teams and Bilic believes keeping the Belgian quiet is essential.

He said: "I wouldn't like to play against Lukaku because he is a top striker and gets assists, and that's why they paid 30-odd million for him.

"But we have great defenders and we've already stopped some of the great names this season with the help of the other guys in front of them."

West Ham are still without Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia this weekend, while Alex Song will build up his fitness with an appearance in a friendly match next week, but Winston Reid is available.