Bilic praises one West Ham player after win

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has stated that the player he was most impressed with in the 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley on Wednesday night was new signing Edimilson Fernandes.

The Hammers toiled to victory over the League Two side, with the Croatian manager forced to bring attacking stars Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio off the bench to ensure progression to the next round.

The former Besiktas trainer mixed things up with his team selection, giving a host of fringe players the chance to stake their claim for a regular starting berth in the side.

Bilic stated that of all the players on the pitch, Fernandes caught his eye most for an industrious performance in the centre of midfield.

“Arbeloa didn’t play for a long time but he played the full 90 minutes and he is going to bring us experience and quality,” he told the club’s official website.

“Of all the players on the pitch, I am most pleased with Fernandes. He is also a good player. He is young but has the quality and confidence to play forward. He came out with a big plus.”

West Ham have persisted with Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate in the centre of the park over the last 12 months, but Fernandes’ impressive showing will give Bilic food for thought ahead of the clash with Southampton this weekend.

The 20-year-old box-to-box man looked assured on the ball and his physicality was clear in the clash with Accrington Stanley – this could well persuade the Hammers boss to switch things around in the boiler room for the game against the Saints.