Slaven Bilic knows he needs to get results at West Ham as pressure mounts

Slaven Bilic claims pressure brings out the best in him but admits West Ham's owners have told him time is running out for the team to recover form.

Bilic has come under heavy scrutiny following his side's poor start to the season, which worsened with a 3-0 defeat at home to newly-promoted Brighton on Friday.

West Ham's fans booed throughout the loss at London Stadium, with their team now sitting 16th in the table and only above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Two of the four clubs below them have already sacked their managers after Frank de Boer and Ronald Koeman both paid the price at Crystal Palace and Everton respectively. Bilic, however, is ready to fight.

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"You ask me about Koeman, there are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I'm definitely one of them," Bilic said.

"Does it make me lose my focus? No, it gives you even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter in which way of life, as a parent, as a friend, as a manager.

"That's my biggest strength, to be strong in hard times. Now I'm having a hard time, yes I am. That doesn't scare me."

West Ham face in-form Tottenham at Wembley in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before a crunch match away to fellow strugglers Palace this weekend.

Bilic spoke with the club's co-owner David Sullivan after their latest set-back against Brighton and he accepts results must improve.

"As always he's been very supportive," Bilic said. "He's been backing the team, backing me, but of course we were talking about situations.

"I didn't need the chairman to tell me. He didn't tell me where we are because he also knows I know.

"It was no different to any other. It's not like a monologue. We were talking about the situation and we agreed we have to get points very, very soon."

West Ham United's Joe Hart looks dejected after Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo

Image credit: Reuters

West Ham's players held their own meeting at the training ground on Monday in an effort to turn their form around.

"They had a meeting. I know about that of course," Bilic said. "First I had a meeting with (captain) Mark (Noble). Before that I had a long meeting with my colleagues.

"Then they had a meeting which I find very positive. We also know the situation. It is serious."

Andy Carroll is available again to face Spurs as he is back from suspension but Michail Antonio is out with pain in his ribs.

James Collins and Diafra Sakho have recovered from ankle and back injuries respectively but are unlikely to feature as they are still regaining match fitness.

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