According to The Daily Star Slaven Bilic will punish those players who were out longer than he deemed correct after a team bonding evening out.
The Croatian had asked captain Mark Noble to take the squad out for a meal in order to build team morale and chemistry following the club’s difficult start to the season this year but some players were pictured on Tuesday morning appearing to have not returned home.
The evening out was on the Monday after the Hammers lost at home to Southampton 3-0 the previous weekend and an investigation was opened before the international break in light of the events with it still continuing as the London derby against Crystal Palace looms on the horizon.
Asked if he regretted the idea, which was Bilic’s, the Croatian said: “No, definitely not. It was a good move. I can only repeat what I said, it was my decision. If they stepped out of the line of the rules of our club, they will be punished.”
The Hammers travel to Selhurst Park knowing that a win could see them out of the relegation zone whilst the Eagles, with former West Ham player James Tomkins, will stay in the top ten of the Premier League if they manage to secure the three points.
