Bilic admits to crisis point

Slaven Bilic has admitted he is preparing for another “do-or-die” week as West Ham manager.

West Ham face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup tonight, but of more significance is a trip to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Bilic acknowledged his “surprise” at West Ham’s difficult start to the season, which has left them facing a relegation battle, but the 49-year-old is once again aware he faces a huge fight to preserve his stay at the London Stadium.

“I’ve said a few times, every time we were in a do-or-die situation we’ve done it. We won,” Bilic said. “Crystal Palace last season away and then the two homes games against Burnley and Hull in the space of a few days.

“Even the game against Swansea at home and against Spurs at home. Every time we had to do it – otherwise we would have been in real trouble – we done it.”

Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, has reiterated where the Carabao Cup stands on his list of his priorities at Tottenham, insisting he is only targeting “real trophies”. It is clear that forthcoming games with Manchester United in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League will take on critical importance.

“Our objective is to try to win the Premier League and the Champions League – for me, two real trophies,” Pochettino said. “That can really change your life. And then the FA Cup, of course, I would like to win.

“I would like to win the Carabao Cup. But I think it will not change the life of Tottenham.”