Bilic fumes over Antonio red after hailing improved West Ham
“We are a good team now,” said Bilic. “We are good physically, we are good mentally, we are good on the ball, we are good in transition.”
Quite the contrast from the opening few months of the campaign, then, when West Ham conceded 11 goals in three September defeats by Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton.
“September killed us, injuries, some new players” said Bilic, who compared those results to being punched by Mike Tyson.
Their new resilience was tested in Saturday’s trip to Watford, when they trailed to a Troy Deeney penalty for much of the game but fought back to equalise through Andre Ayew.
The leveller was created by the excellent Michail Antonio, who was a constant nuisance for the Watford defence before was sent off for two bookable offences. He will now miss next week’s clash with Chelsea, which could be a doubly serious blow if Andy Carroll – not even fit enough for the bench on Saturday – is not back in contention.
Antonio excelled in West Ham’s EFL Cup victory over Chelsea earlier this season, and was by far his side’s most threatening player here. “I am not happy with that [Antonio’s sus- he pension] because in that game [against Chelsea] he was unstoppable,” Bilic said.
On the receiving end of Antonio’s direct running was Watford defender Younes Kaboul, who said Antonio was one of the fastest players he has faced this season. “Antonio is very sharp,” he said. “I may be 31, but in our first-team squad I am probably the quickest in a 60-yard sprint. Jamie Vardy was very sharp, but Antonio is right up there.”
Watford’s Mauro Zarate faces months out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on the brink of half-time. It took eight minutes for him to be carried off the field. “I will face this with all my strength and will be back stronger than before,” he said. Watford have already used 36 players this season, more than any other top-flight side.