Stoke vs West Ham: The Reaction

Stoke vs West Ham: The Reaction

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was content with his side’s performance and application, as they picked up a vital point away to Stoke City yesterday afternoon. The game was surprisingly void of quality and ended up finishing in a frustrating goalless draw.

However, the point was a valuable one for West Ham, as it edged them closer to safety. The Hammers are now in 15th spot, having taken 39 points from their 35 Premier League games to date. They are 7 points above the drop. With fellow strugglers Hull City picking up a draw away to Southampton, West Ham maintained their 5 –point advantage over them.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the West Ham boss gave his thoughts on the game, “I’m pleased with the way that we played, I’m pleased with the third clean sheet in four games. “I’m pleased with the point.



“We limited Stoke to a couple of really good chances. One from Joe Allen in the beginning of the second half, and the big one from Arnautovic.

Bilic continued: “We were good on the ball, we created more than enough chances to score more than one goal today to be fair. But we didn’t score. Some great reactions from their goalkeeper. The first one from Ayew, unexpected shots from close range, scissor-kicks, great reflexes from him.

The Croatian heaped praise on the returning Jack Butland. The Englishman was in sensational form, as he returned from the ankle injury that has kept him out for most of the season.

Bilic added, “In the second-half, he pulled off three saves in the space of ten seconds. Apart from that we also came close many times with combinations in very dangerous areas.

“In the end, we have to be pleased with the point, especially when they throw on Crouch, long throws and all that. It was going to be very dangerous for us. We coped with that really well.

Now that West Ham are all but safe, they will be looking to finish the season strongly, to get the feel-good factor back at the London Stadium going into the next campaign.