Bilic believes Hammers must mature
Slaven Bilic believes his West Ham side must become more mature if they are to turn their Premier League fortunes around.
The Hammers were brought down to earth with a bump after their three-game winning streak was ended by goals from Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley in a 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.
Croatian Bilic was particularly disappointed with his side, feeling his men could have emerged victorious against Ronald Koeman’s Toffees after an electric start and several early chances on goal.
And it was Everton’s maturity that Bilic feels proved especially crucial on Merseyside.
“I’m not saying that they didn’t deserve it, because at the end of the day they were more mature when the game was on the line, but we should have done better with the start we had,” Bilic said.
“It’s a big disappointment because I thought we would take something.”
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
The 48-year-old nevertheless backed his charges to remain cool despite pressure racking up on a side that finished last year in the Europa League spots and now lie 16th.
“We didn’t go high-flying after the three wins, and likewise we’re not going to drop after one defeat,” he said.
“We showed some good football, but I’m big-time disappointed because I expected us to create some situations.
“When we offered them opportunities, they took them. They offered us chances in the first half and even in the second after they went one-nil up, but we had to penetrate better.
“I have the feeling that, while you are always not happy after a defeat, I am more disappointed because we could have taken something from this game.”
