Bilic brings back the West Ham way

  • by Ben Green
  • Filed: Thursday, 9th June 2016

Following the departure of Sam Allardyce, a plethora of names were being touted for the vacant West Ham manager’s position.

Klopp and Ancelotti were whispered in hush melodies around the Boleyn Ground and audacious swoops for Rafa Benitez and Unai Emery proved futile. This of course left the door open for former Hammer Slaven Bilic to step in.

The arrival of Bilic was met with a certain anticipation and an air of uncertainty, given his lack of managerial experience in the Premier League. There was no doubt though about the grandeur of the Croat, he came to the Boleyn Ground with an impeccable swagger and a refreshing likability. A tactically astute manager with a reputation of affection for the beautiful game, Bilic posed an appropriate figure to conclude West Ham’s tenure at the Boleyn Ground.

Having eliminated the relatively unknown Lusitanos and Birkirkara, the prospect of a European journey was an invigorating one. A reminiscence of Fulham’s Europa league fairytale in 2010 made that prospect all the more appetising.

Unfortunately the journey came to an abrupt end against Astra Giurgiu, but despite our short stint in European football, I wasn’t too worried, as staying in the Premier League for our first year in the Olympic Stadium was crucial. To be honest, as a University student at Portsmouth, getting knocked out of the Europa League was probably a blessing in disguise, as I wouldn’t have to make the strenuous journey up the M25 on a Thursday night.

Pressure is a ubiquitous part of football and the defeat to Astra Giurgiu meant added weight on the shoulders of Slaven Bilic. If there was any sign of pressure towards Bilic however, he instinctively brushed it away with his team selection for the match against Arsenal.

The inclusion of 16-year-old Reece Oxford raised eyebrows and was definitely a courageous decision by the Croat. One of the main talking points surrounding the Boleyn Ground is the supposed ‘West Ham way,’ and many pundits and fans alike have diminished this ideal. The lines are extremely blurred when talking about it nd there will always be ambiguity surrounding the philosophy, but the Arsenal game pretty much summed up what the ‘West Ham way’ is to me.




For me, it is not necessarily the style of football we play, but more to do with the way in which we approach games. One fundamental aspect is the consideration of The Academy of Football, giving youth players a chance on the big stage.

Sam Allardyce believed the demand for instant success in football meant neglecting the youth academies, and in some respect I agree with him. The life of a manager in modern football is far too short and there isn’t enough time to nurture raw talent in the academies. Why risk playing a youngster when you could be sacked in a couple of weeks for a run of bad results? Bilic took this risk and for me this epitomised what the ‘West Ham way’ is, it’s this idea of trusting the Academy, throwing one of your own into the mix against the big boys.

Notoriously we have always had a talisman that excites the terraces and brings fans off their seats and onto their feet. Over the years players such as Di Canio, Berkovic, Tevez, Brady, McAvennie, Brooking and Hurst have constituted to an elite group of players that produce moments of sheer quality, they have the ability to invigorate the terraces and create a special atmosphere in the Boleyn Ground. The ‘West Ham way,’ was to always allow these players to express themselves and give them license to showcase their individual brilliance.

Many felt Ravel Morrison had that potential and after his sensational solo goal against Tottenham, I thought he was our next talisman. Perhaps his potential wasn’t allowed to flourish because of the rigid philosophy of an Allardyce team, but then again he hasn’t exactly pushed on with Lazio in Serie A. This time round however, we have Dimitri Payet, a player you would pay to watch train, in the pouring rain, at Chadwell Heath. Creative freedom is given room to flourish under Bilic, and players such as Payet and Lanzini are given license to roam and produce those moments of excellence.

Although style of play isn’t the fundamental basis for the ‘West Ham way,’ it does appear to be an important aspect for West Ham fans. The football wasn’t always the most exciting, but I will always be grateful to Sam Allardyce for what he did for my football club. We were staring down the barrel when Allardyce took charge, and he gave me one of my best ever seasons as a West Ham fan in the Championship. I loved the away trips to Barnsley, Blackpool and Watford to name a few, but more so, I loved the trip to Wembley where Vaz Tê scored a dramatic 87th minute winner to secure our return to top-flight football.




He then went on to stabilise us in the Premier League and he laid down the framework for Bilic to come in and build upon. Cries of ‘be careful what you wish for,’ were heard ringing around the football community when Allardyce departed. Bilic however, has done a commendable job and he has kept us in the Premier League whilst producing some of our best football. He summed up the style of play perfectly after the Liverpool victory: “We parked the bus but we didn't put the handbrake on. It was simply great defending when we didn't have the ball.”

We didn’t go to Arsenal, Liverpool or Man City with the thought of just defending; we went with intent and an eye for attacking their back lines. Defend resolutely, but break with venom was the philosophy imposed by Bilic - and it worked to a T.

There isn’t a straight definition for the ‘West Ham way,’ but aspects such as faith in the Academy, going to the big clubs with an intent to attack, allowing players to express their individual quality all contribute to a philosophy that West Ham pride themselves on. We have been a bit of a yo-yo club in recent times, which is why the work of Allardyce will always be appreciated. And I may be deluded for saying this, but I do believe in the ‘West Ham way,’ and Bilic has reignited that optimism for the philosophy.

The 2015/16 campaign was, without a doubt, my most memorable season as a West Ham fan - and having already bid crazy money for players of such calibre as Alexandre Lacazette, I am buzzing with anticipation for the future of my football club.

Let’s not forget a few years ago we had Mido and Benni McCarthy up top. The future does look bright, but this is football and anything can happen at anytime, and as West Ham fans, we should know not to get too carried away when things start looking good. Hopefully this time round is different - and I have complete faith in Bilic and the board to continue the growth of this wonderful football club.

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