LAST-CHANCE SALOON FOR BROKEN BILIC

THIS game is pivotal for Slaven Bilic. The West Ham manager looked a broken man after Newcastle wiped the floor with his team two weeks ago. Bilic wears his heart on his sleeve and you could see the dejection written all over his face. He cannot afford another limp performance tonight. Starting with three away games has not been ideal. West Ham were well beaten by a resurgent Manchester United and they showed fight to overturn a two-goal deficit at Southampton, even if they lost. But what concerned me was their indiscipline at St Mary’s. Marko Arnautovic was sent off for an elbow and Mark Noble should have been dismissed for a reckless lunge. The record signing and captain are players Bilic should be able to rely upon. There are problems on and off the field. Recruitment has been muddled and there seems to be a disconnect between Bilic and the owners. On the pitch, West Ham look as if they will concede at every attack. It is little wonder they have let in 10 goals, more than any Premier League team so far. There is no doubt that there are goals in Javier Hernandez but he needs chances to be created for him. That will be difficult without the injured Manuel Lanzini tonight but the fans will not stand for another abject showing. The performance, as much as the result, could determine Bilic’s fate.