West Ham United defender James Collins says he is thrilled to get the club’s first win of the Premier League season and believes the three points will take the pressure off both the players and manager Slaven Bilic.
Bilic especially had found himself under mounting pressure after a dismal start to the season, and rumours were rife that the Croat could be on his way out of the London Stadium if his side failed to beat Huddersfield Town on Monday night.
Goals from Pedro Obiang and Andre Ayew however saved the day, handing the Hammers their first victory of the season and lifting them off the foot of the table.
Collins, who started and finished the game, believes it was an excellent performance.
“I think it was more relief than anything. I am sure you will see a different West Ham getting those first three points.” said Collins, before adding: “It was playing on everyone’s mind and hopefully we have put that to rest and we can move on and get a good result at the weekend.
“There has been a lot of talk and the manager has been under a lot of pressure, but that’s down to us.”
The sacking of Frank De Boer from Crystal Palace had put further weight on the importance of a win for Slaven Bilic and his side.
Do Boer was sacked after only four winless top flight games, and many believed Bilic could be next. Collins however, sympathises with the Croatian and says the players pulled together to put in a big performance for him.
“I say it all the time, I do find it a bit funny when managers get so much stick when it’s the lads on the pitch performing or not performing as we were, and the gaffer has to take it on his shoulder.
“We had to give him a performance and a result. It was not really about how we played, it was about getting three points and thankfully we have done that.”
