Bilic backs Hammers to show character

Slaven Bilic hopes his side can show the spirit and character to bounce straight back against Manchester United

Slaven Bilic admits he was shocked by the 4-1 defeat against Swansea but hopes his side can show the spirit and character to bounce straight back against Manchester United on Tuesday.


The Hammers suffered their first home defeat in the Premier League since August and it was a disappointing afternoon in the final ever Saturday game at the Boleyn Ground.


Bilic knew his side's defensive display was not good enough and hopes the players will have learned from their mistakes.


Bilic said: “It was a very bad result for us and it shocked us. We didn't expect it. At the beginning it looked really good and it was one of our best starts.


“The only thing that was missing was our finishing product. That made us complacent because they didn't look dangerous.


“But we made a couple of mistakes and to be fair we were thinking that our colleague behind me will take the ball and let me be in a good position. But if you let their players have a one on one they are very capable of hurting you and we didn't help our defenders at all.


“We then conceded a goal and then when you concede a second it is very hard to come back. We have done it a few times but we needed to pull the goal back. To be fair we didn't deserve it.


“With the ball we showed the character and determination but our finishing product was not there today. Without the ball it was simply not good enough in the Premier League.”


Bilic is hoping his players can bounce straight back against Manchester United and make it a night to remember in the final ever game to be played at the Boleyn Ground.


Bilic added: “We have to bounce back. We have two games left and want to finish high. Whatever happens we have had a good season.


“But our aim is to show a good spirit and character that has been with us all season and we hope to show that against Manchester United.


“It will be an emotional night and is a big game when you always play United, but the fact that it is the final ever game makes it even more special and we have to stay cool and stay focused because we want to win the game.


“We have been thinking about a European place since we knew it was reachable and we can still do it. When we give our best we still have a lot to offer.”