Bilic has had a fantastic season so far
Fans, players, and pundits (Mark Lawrenson aside) are quickly getting onboard with the direction in which he is taking West Ham in the Premier League.
Just over half way into his first season, and he has guided the team to fifth in the table and progress in the FA Cup.
This after reports would have us believe the Croat was a long way down the pecking order when the board was making its decision on who would take the reigns after Sam Allardyce’s departure.
Rafa Benitez was close to signing, Jürgen Klopp was approached, David Moyes, amongst others, was mooted to be in contention.
But while those managers are balancing a combination of deluded fans and dole queues, Bilic is proving to be one of the most astute and adaptable managers in the country.
A run of just two defeats since August has more than steadied a somewhat stumbling start, and the attacking flair has found many admirers.
The performances have combined guile and class, and have accounted for the league’s perceived ‘big guns’.
Some may question whether those teams are the force they were, but the fact remains they were beaten on the day by an hugely effective West Ham side.
Bilic’s management of the away performances shows he knows how to change the team to counter attack and not allow the opposition to settle.
He is not afraid to make personnel changes early, and openly admits to altering the formation to make a direct impact on the team. He does not rest on his laurels, and Wednesday was the fourth time this season the team has come from behind to claim points. He has also shown willing to make changes to push on for the win when the scores are level.
But it is the handling of the recent injury crisis which has showed his tactical knowledge and ability to adapt his approach.
The side was guilty of some costly defensive lapses, and without the attacking prowess to threaten a response, Bilic knew he had to go back to basics.
The switching of James Tomkins to right back sured up the defence and meant that even if the team struggled in the attacking third, it was going to be difficult for opposition teams to break them down.
A run of five straight draws could have been a lot worse for points, and confidence, had Bilic remained inflexible with his tactics.
Now undefeated in nine games in all competitions, Bilic has ensured the team navigated a difficult time and emerged in a strong position to kick on.
He has overcome early tests, and can now confidently claim to be propelling the club in the right direction.
