Fulham boss could be a target
With pressure mounting on Slaven Bilic, the board could look to bring in current Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic should they sack Bilic in the summer. Even if the side can salvage a respectable finish to the season it has not been one without its difficulties at times. This was supposed to be the season where West Ham kicked on but for one reason or another it hasn’t happened. The board must now decide if they can see that changing next year or not. Jokanovic is likely to be high on the list of replacements as he has impressed with Fulham this season. Much of that could depend on how strongly Fulham finish in the Championship, as it stands they have a good shot at the playoffs, sitting two points behind the final spot. If the highly rated coach is appointed in the summer it may help West Ham in their bid to secure Celtic striker Moussa Dembele who they reportedly tried to sign in January.
Bilic backed by former manager
Former Hammers boss Alan Curbishley expects that Slaven Bilic will still be in his position as manager at the start of next season. Despite constant speculation over the past months regarding his future at the club, Bilic could still guide the team to a top half finish this season. Curbishley believes that the board may wait until next season begins before making a decision on the Croatians future saying “I think perhaps this season, because of the move [to a new stadium], the injuries, etc. I think they will probably be saying ‘let’s see how he starts off next year’.”
Kone back on the radar
After failing in a summer bid to sign 28-year-old central defender Lamine Kone, it is believed that the club will try again after this season. West Ham have conceded 57 goals already this season, one of the highest in the league and the January signing of Jose Fonte has not fixed the defensive issues. Sunderland have actually conceded one goal less than the Hammers this season, but with them looking almost certain to go down, Kone could be available for a reduced price.
Fonte urges teammates to work hard
January signing Jose Fonte has tried to motivate his teammates ahead of the weekend fixture to avoid losing focus. “Our aim is to win the next two matches, then we can start to look at things a little differently. You can’t take your foot off the gas in this league. It’s a tough league, the best in the world, and if you are not ‘at it’ every single game, you are not going to win.” After looking like they could face a difficult end to the season, the win over Swansea on Saturday now gives the side a different outlook. It was a bad run of form but a few wins can fire the team higher up the league. The Hammers are now 14th in the table and just one point behind a place in the top half. If they can put the poor form behind them then they can salvage a disappointing season.