Shoot!

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 22nd October 2015

Slaven Bilic has urged his players to be more daring in front of goal ahead of this weekend's London derby with Chelsea.

Bilic, speaking to the press this morning ahead of Saturday's clash with Jose Mourinho's misfiring Blues told his players to take risks if the opportunity presents itself.

And that's in stark contrast to his predecessor Sam Allardyce, who, rumour once claimed, would fine his players for shooting from outside the penalty area.

"We are creating chances, we are playing well," he said. "Against Palace we were very versatile, we kept the ball very well.

"The only thing I would like us to do more is shoot, sometimes we wait too long to shoot. You have to try your luck when you are in the right positions.

"Against Palace, they were defending deep as a team and it was hard to create one-on-one chances, so when we are 20 yards out we need to try.

"Our players are very dangerous when they shoot in training, that’s the only thing I would like us to do more."

For the first time in many years, West Ham go into the game several places above Chelsea in the league and with six points more in the bag. However Bilic is under no illusion as to the extent of the task that faces his players.

"On the one hand it’s a good time [to play them], we can’t deny that," he mused. "They haven’t started like we all expected them to do, and they don’t have that consistency.

"But on the other hand, it’s a very dangerous time to play them. They are on their toes, they are motivated. It is both.

"They played a really good game against Kiev, they were very solid, they were like the old Chelsea of last year. Kiev is a very tough away game, a long trip and a good team.

"I watched that game of course, I wasn't happy afterwards! They looked to me very good, very sharp with great individuals."

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