West Ham players owe birthday boy Slaven Bilic a win, says James Collins: 'We know we haven't performed and the manager has done the best he can'

  • West Ham are currently bottom of the league, having lost their first three games 
  • James Collins says the players owe their manager Slaven Bilic a win on Monday
  • The Hammers will play their first home game against Huddersfield Town
  • West Ham manager Bilic will celebrate his 49th birthday on Monday

West Ham's players say they owe birthday boy Slaven Bilic a win on Monday night because they are the ones who have thrown him under the bus with below-par performances.

James Collins has backed the Hammers boss on behalf of the squad, insisting they have to look at themselves after three successive Premier League losses.

Huddersfield Town are the first visitors to the London Stadium this season and Bilic, who turns 49 on Monday, is hoping they get the three points he seemingly needs to save his job.

Defender James Collins says West Ham players owe their manager a win against Huddersfield 

Defender James Collins says West Ham players owe their manager a win against Huddersfield 

'Birthday or not everyone at the club would like to get the boss three points,' Collins said. 'He's been under tremendous pressure.


'It's crazy in football that the managers get put under so much pressure when sometimes really the players need to look at themselves.

'We know we haven't performed and the manager has done the best he can. I feel like we owe the gaffer a performance and hopefully we can do that on Monday.'

West Ham's squad trained at the London Stadium on Saturday and will do so again on Sunday in preparation for their first Premier League home fixture.

Slaven Bilic is under pressure after watching his side loose all three on their first league games

Slaven Bilic is under pressure after watching his side loose all three on their first league games

Former Hammers defender Danny Gabbidon this week claimed Bilic 'looks lost' but Collins has said: 'I don't think there's truth in that.

'All I can say is all the lads here at West Ham are completely behind the boss. We've been trying, maybe not as well as we should have, but on Monday we're going to go out with our hearts on our sleeves and hopefully get three points for him.

'He takes it all on his shoulders but the players need to look at ourselves and really put in a performance for him.'

On what has gone wrong in the Premier League so far, following 4-0, 3-2 and 3-0 losses, Collins continued: 'It's tricky to say. A lot of things. The defending has been nowhere near good enough.

West Ham warm up ahead of their Premier League tie at the Olympic Stadium on Monday night

West Ham warm up ahead of their Premier League tie at the Olympic Stadium on Monday night

'We've conceded far too many goals and teams have had far too many chances against us in games. That needs looking at.

'I wouldn't say there is tension. We know we've got to perform better than we have done. If you go into games cowering then you're not going to perform.

'I've been in this position before, I've been at the club a long time, and we've got to perform. We're all good players who are here for a reason. You don't turn into a bad player in three games.

'We know the quality is there. Maybe confidence is down but a good first 10 minutes on Monday night and you'll see a different West Ham.'