Slaven Bilic has a tough job ahead, say former West Ham players
Tuesday 9 June 2015 15:23, UK
Tony Gale believes Slaven Bilic faces a tough job making West Ham’s heavy schedule work when they play in Europe for the first time in nine years next season.
Gale, a player at Upton Park between 1984 and 1994, is happy with Bilic’s appointment as manager and expects the Croat to ensure his side entertains fans.
He also anticipates a tough workload for the former defender, however, as his team juggles domestic duties with playing in the Europa League.
West Ham will play in the competition after they topped the Premier League’s Fair Play table and will start out in the first qualifying round on July 2.
They last played in the event when it was the UEFA Cup in the 2006/07 campaign and Gale thinks a top-half finish in the Premier League after they return to that stage would represent success.
He said: “I think the fans expect exciting football. If you’re not going to win trophies, and let’s be honest there’s only a certain amount of teams who can do that, you want to be entertained.
“I think it’s going to be difficult for him because he’s got the Europa League as well and the games might cause a bit of fatigue.
“Getting to the second half of the season and getting used to playing on Thursdays and Sundays is going to be a tall order. The top 10 would be a major achievement”
Iain Dowie played alongside Bilic during the Croat’s 15-month stay at West Ham from February 1996 to May 1997.
He has also reacted positively but thinks his old colleague has a hard act to follow after previous manager Sam Allardyce’s departure.
Dowie said: “Slaven is obviously someone they think can maybe come in and give a little bit of spark. I’ve got to say, it’s not an easy job.
“Sam Allardyce, in my opinion, has done a really good job. I’m a West Ham fan but sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.”
