Goodison Park brings back memories for Slaven Bilic ahead of return
Saturday 29 October 2016 13:12, UK
Slaven Bilic will be on familiar territory when West Ham travel to Everton and attempt to build on their wins against Sunderland and Chelsea in the last week.
West Ham play Everton for the live Super Sunday match at Goodison Park - where boss Bilic played for two seasons after leaving Upton Park in 1997.
And Bilic admits he remains a fan of Everton's tight ground - and not just because West Ham clinched a dramatic 3-2 win there last season.
"It's a great stadium to play at," Bilic said. "I love the stadium, and not because I played there.
"It's going to be packed, it's a great stadium and also because we have a great memory from last year. Okay, I played there and everything but it's mostly because of the stadium and the crowd is very good there."
Live Nissan Super Sunday
West Ham will also face a familiar foe in the shape of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium striker has scored every time he has played against them, a total of eight goals in as many appearances.
"They have so many options up front," Bilic added. "They are a very physical side, they have pace up front. They have Lukaku who, I don't know how many he has scored - eight goals in 10 games against us, or whatever I read yesterday.
"So he is always scoring against us, unfortunately, so that's also going to be interesting. It will be a great game. They need points. We need points."
Bilic has another attacking weapon of his own, though, with £20.5m summer signing Andre Ayew finally fit again.
The former Swansea frontman had been sidelined by a thigh injury suffered against Chelsea in the opening game of the season, but made his comeback as a late substitute against the same opposition on Wednesday.
"It's great to have him back," said Bilic, who remains without strikers Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho through injury.
"He's been training with the group for a couple of weeks now and came on and did really good against Chelsea. He looked fit and aggressive, so it's great to have him back."
