Slaven Bilić is treating Sunday’s (December 11, 3pm KO) home clash with Hull City as a “first game” of the season having worked with his players over the last month during the FIFA World Cup break, and sees the Tigers as a team that can “frustrate” with their possession-based style of play.
With a week in Spain working on fitness before a further fortnight of tactical work at the London Colney training ground, and two friendlies in between, Bilić has had the chance to instil his philosophy and methods on the squad, and reflects positively on a month of hard work while welcoming players back from injury.
“We were looking forward to this break for a few reasons,” Bilić began. “I didn’t come in June, I came later, so I didn’t have time to get to know the players better and work on tactics so that was nice, and we also had so many games and with a tiny squad due to injuries. The players were tired and needed a rest physically and mentally.
“We had time to work on everything, went to Spain for just under a week and then came back here for a couple of weeks. It was a good break for us and now we are ready for the restart of the Championship.”
Their efforts over the break will be put to the test at Vicarage Road on Sunday when the Tigers visit under new manager Liam Rosenior. Hornets Head Coach Bilić feels a strong start to the second half of the season is vital, and he has spent a few weeks studying Hull’s style of play.
“First games are always important, the way you start,” continued the 54-year-old. “It shows how hard you’ve worked in pre-season or whatever break you have.
“They’re a big team with big ambitions. They were in the Premier League and have very ambitious owners, good players and a recent change in manager. They play good football and this is a ‘first game’. It’s a big game for us.
“They changed the way they play, they play possession football and from what I’ve seen they’re very good at that. They take chances, take risks and lose the ball but they frustrate with their possession. You can stop them from creating chances but it’s not easy to stop them from keeping the ball, they’re good at that and can make you nervous. We want to win the game but it will be difficult.”
Taking to the home dugout alongside Bilić for the first time at Vicarage Road, new Assistant Coach Julian Dicks was praised by his former West Ham United teammate upon his arrival at the club.
“Jules is and was a part of my life in England, as a player when I went to West Ham he was my roommate,” Bilić continued. “This is my third job in England and he was with me at West Ham and West Brom. He brings that Britishness, which is good to have, and he’s a top man.”
Although not eligible to feature this weekend or until the January transfer window opens, midfielder Ismaël Koné was mentioned in the press conference conducted on Friday morning (December 9), following confirmation of the 20-year-old’s move from Major League Soccer outfit CF Montréal earlier this week. Watching the Canada international prior to the World Cup and in Qatar as Koné faced Morocco, Belgium and Bilić’s nation Croatia, the Head Coach is excited by the new recruit.
“I heard that many clubs wanted him, he was part of the World Cup and is a player that is definitely for the future,” explained Bilić. “Hopefully he will also help us in the short-term. He’s made a huge improvement in his career, six months ago he made his professional debut.
“I watched him against Belgium and Croatia, and we watched clips before that. It’s great for the club, he’s coming in January but the boy is changing continents, we’re going to assess him and I’m sure he’ll help us this season.”
