Tensions sure to be running high again as Clement and Bilic look for vital points

PAUL Clement and Slaven Bilic could have been forgiven for thinking their last tense and nervy meeting at the London Stadium would not be repeated anytime soon, yet some familiar emotions will be on show when West Ham and Swansea lock horns this afternoon.

It is true that no-one is talking about relegation six-pointers, as they were in April, but both managers will feel an element of discomfort.

For Bilic the long-standing question marks over his future as Hammers boss continues to linger.

There were many ready to predict his demise when West Ham trailed Tottenham 3-0 on home turf last weekend.

A red-card aided fightback has been enough to keep the wolf from the door for now, but a home reverse against Swansea would leave him in real danger of the axe.

For Clement, the pressure is not the imminent danger of losing his job, but managing to find the right balance of personnel and formation to get the best out of a squad still gelling together.

He can expect this selection to come under significant scrutiny having held his hands up to admit he got it wrong against Watford last weekend.

There was widespread consternation when he opted to field five at the back at the Liberty against the Hornets, and the obvious disquiet among the Swans faithful was felt in no uncertain terms during a woeful opening half.

The system was ditched at the break, and Swansea improved and offered some suggestion of an attacking threat that has been conspicuous by its absence in the Premier League this season.

Swansea have failed to have a shot on target in three of their six topflight games this season, they are the lowest-ranked Premier League side in terms of shots at goal and efforts on target.

Those statistics present Clement with a dilemma, because the five at the back that prompted such fury on home turf, has actually proved more adept at getting results away from home.

Swansea have three clean sheets from three away games, a number which matches their combined shutout tally on the road over the previous two seasons. It has earned them five points.

Keeping out the Hammers would see them become just the fourth team in Premier League history to keep four away clean sheets in a row at the start of a campaign.

The figures show the lack of balance in Swansea’s play so far this season.

They are obdurate and organised defensively – qualities that should not be overlooked given the shambles over the opening half of last season – but they have also been largely toothless.

It may prove to be the case that we see five at the back against West Ham, but the challenge and the pressure comes from the need to find a way to be effective at both ends of the field.

Keeping perennial hindrance Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez quiet will be most welcome, provided Swansea have the wherewithal to take it to their hosts when the chance arrives because West Ham are there to be got at.

The constant speculation over their manager will not help, nor the loss to Tottenham re-opening some of the wounds around their adaptation to life at the old Olympic Stadium.

Settling in has taken time and there is still an element of discomfort in new surroundings for players and supporters.

Indeed, when this fixture was held in May the lack of intensity in the atmosphere was surprising.

Both sides were fighting the drop, in desperate need of a result, yet on a sunny spring afternoon it would have been easy to believe you were at a cup final or even a pre-season friendly.

Swansea looked destine for the Championship that day. If you had informed a neutral observer that they would take 13 points from their last five games of the season, no-one would have believed you.

Football can turn around quickly, Clement will want the spark to ignite Swansea’s attacking game and increase West Ham’s woes on home turf to show itself this afternoon.

“They found it difficult there but it did not help us there last season. We went there, we were not playing well, it was an important game and a dull affair,” he said.

“The two teams were struggling for confidence and it was a narrow margin, but we made a big turnaround from there.

“This is a similar situation, both teams are hungry for points and hopefully it will be a better game than that was.

“It seems like things have dragged on in terms of their record there. They had to play their first three games away from home.

“They beat Huddersfield and lost to Tottenham and this is a game that is in the balance, there is no clear favourite in it.

“It will be the team that plays the best and takes the initiative that will