Slaven Bilic says a confident West Ham United will travel to Arsenal to kick-off the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League season
Slaven Bilic says a confident West Ham United will travel to Arsenal to kick-off the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League season.
The Hammers make the short trip to the Emirates on the back of a midweek UEFA Europa League exit in Romania, but the manager says that disappointment will not be allowed to affect their preparations to face the Gunners.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Bilic also revealed that Andy Carroll could be back in first-team action by the end of August and that the potential signing of Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez is ‘close’...
Slaven, can we start with team news for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal?
SB: "Valencia has a major injury but it could be worse. The predictions are that he is out for ten to 12 weeks, but hopefully it’s going to be nine! We have a few more small ones apart from him but we will see in training.
"We are going to roll out a good team and we are ready for the beginning of the Premier League.”
What is the situation with the potential signing of Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid?
SB: "Jimenez is close, but it is not done. We hope to get it done today or tomorrow, but anyway he would not be ready for the squad for Sunday's game.
“It would be good for us to get a player as soon as possible, considering we need players in some positions. Jimenez is a striker and that would be it then. I would be happy.
“The situation with Valencia means we might need more players but considering that Andy Carroll is doing really well and he will be joining the team in terms of training really soon, I would be happy with the addition of one striker.
“As I said, Andy is working well and last week he was doing a lot of individual stuff and everything without any problems. The injury is gone now and now we have just to bring him back slowly but as quickly as possible without any risk to training to get the fitness, first of all.
“It’s totally different to training by yourself because you are training with tackles and not controlling the environment. It’s not only up to you but the others as well.
"The target the medical department tell me is for Liverpool or Newcastle which is the fourth and fifth game of the season."
Will you seek to bring in any more players, or are you happy with what you have got?
SB: “I’m pretty happy. Some players may leave the club and a few players have left already. We are concentrating on one striker and maybe one more player in midfield and that should be it.”
The Hammers make the short trip to the Emirates on the back of a midweek UEFA Europa League exit in Romania, but the manager says that disappointment will not be allowed to affect their preparations to face the Gunners.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Bilic also revealed that Andy Carroll could be back in first-team action by the end of August and that the potential signing of Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez is ‘close’...
Slaven, can we start with team news for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal?
SB: "Valencia has a major injury but it could be worse. The predictions are that he is out for ten to 12 weeks, but hopefully it’s going to be nine! We have a few more small ones apart from him but we will see in training.
"We are going to roll out a good team and we are ready for the beginning of the Premier League.”
What is the situation with the potential signing of Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid?
SB: "Jimenez is close, but it is not done. We hope to get it done today or tomorrow, but anyway he would not be ready for the squad for Sunday's game.
“It would be good for us to get a player as soon as possible, considering we need players in some positions. Jimenez is a striker and that would be it then. I would be happy.
“The situation with Valencia means we might need more players but considering that Andy Carroll is doing really well and he will be joining the team in terms of training really soon, I would be happy with the addition of one striker.
“As I said, Andy is working well and last week he was doing a lot of individual stuff and everything without any problems. The injury is gone now and now we have just to bring him back slowly but as quickly as possible without any risk to training to get the fitness, first of all.
“It’s totally different to training by yourself because you are training with tackles and not controlling the environment. It’s not only up to you but the others as well.
"The target the medical department tell me is for Liverpool or Newcastle which is the fourth and fifth game of the season."
Will you seek to bring in any more players, or are you happy with what you have got?
SB: “I’m pretty happy. Some players may leave the club and a few players have left already. We are concentrating on one striker and maybe one more player in midfield and that should be it.”
I would like us to play good football and to win games, which is easy to say now before the first game
Are you looking forward to your first game as a Premier League manager?
SB: "Of course I am. I'm excited. I know from when I was here before and have played against English teams in European competition and they all say the Premier League is different and is the hardest league. I'm looking forward to it"
"As I said, I'm ready and the team is ready and we’re going to see on Sunday how it starts.
What would constitute a successful season for West Ham United?
SB: “I would like us to play good football and to win games, which is easy to say now before the first game. Let’s say our aim is to be mid-table. Our aim is to be as high as possible and I would say a top ten finish would be a major success."
How will you approach Arsenal? Have you seen them play in pre-season?
SB: "First of all Arsenal are a big team, a big club and they have been doing well and have won a trophy (the Community Shield) already, which is always good. It’s nice to win it.
"I went to see them live against Wolfsburg in the Emirates Cup. They are the same Arsenal and they like to have the ball and keep the ball. They are very versatile and are also the quickest team in the league and are the best on breaks. When you lose the ball, they are very dangerous to you.
“Against Wolfsburg and against Chelsea, particularly, they improved defensively in terms of as a unit. They are on a high and are full of confidence but we are starting, we are very confident we can go there and play good football and get something out of the game.”
SB: "Of course I am. I'm excited. I know from when I was here before and have played against English teams in European competition and they all say the Premier League is different and is the hardest league. I'm looking forward to it"
"As I said, I'm ready and the team is ready and we’re going to see on Sunday how it starts.
What would constitute a successful season for West Ham United?
SB: “I would like us to play good football and to win games, which is easy to say now before the first game. Let’s say our aim is to be mid-table. Our aim is to be as high as possible and I would say a top ten finish would be a major success."
How will you approach Arsenal? Have you seen them play in pre-season?
SB: "First of all Arsenal are a big team, a big club and they have been doing well and have won a trophy (the Community Shield) already, which is always good. It’s nice to win it.
"I went to see them live against Wolfsburg in the Emirates Cup. They are the same Arsenal and they like to have the ball and keep the ball. They are very versatile and are also the quickest team in the league and are the best on breaks. When you lose the ball, they are very dangerous to you.
“Against Wolfsburg and against Chelsea, particularly, they improved defensively in terms of as a unit. They are on a high and are full of confidence but we are starting, we are very confident we can go there and play good football and get something out of the game.”