Bilic has to count on luck
SLAVEN BILIC fears West Ham will be finished this season unless they ride their luck with injuries.
Bilic takes charge of the Hammers for the first time at Upton Park tonight in their Europa League qualifier against Maltese minnows Birkirkara.
But Bilic already fears the competition could prove costly – even though he has brought in six new players and plans to buy more.
Injuries to Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho cost former boss Sam Allardyce last season.
Allardyce said: “I’m not sure the squad is strong and deep enough if they have a long run in Europe. Slaven Bilic could run into the same problems I did.”
West Ham could end up playing more than 50 games this season.
But Bilic moved to play down expectations ahead of his side’s third of eight games needed just to qualify for the group stage.
He said: “We’re going to be very wary in that area. That is a major issue.
“One unlucky accident in training, not to mention the games, can damage your plans. Two or three, you are finished.
“In the Premier League you have so many intense games, a lot of competitions, you have two domestic cups. Some clubs like us last year had many injuries.
“Of course it’s going to take some casualties. It has a lot to do with being lucky or unlucky. Last year the club was very unlucky in that department.
“If we progress to the Europa League then we can mix the squad like Spurs did last year. But in most situations you have to pay some price for that.” WEST HAM (4-2-3-1): Adrian; O’Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Poyet, Noble; Amalfitano, Nolan, Jarvis; Zarate. Referee: M Hameter (Austria).