Slaven Bilic says Andy Carroll is now 'looking after his body' as he warns West Ham against complacency after first win of season over Huddersfield

  • Slaven Bilic called a team meeting after the 2-0 win over Huddersfield
  • The manager was under mounting pressure after three opening league defeats
  • West Ham remain in the relegation zone ahead of the clash with West Brom 
  • Bilic is man-managing Andy Carroll's training sessions after a groin problem 

Slaven Bilic is man-managing Andy Carroll’s training schedule with a special programme to keep West Ham’s striker fit for Saturdays and off the treatment table.

Carroll featured for 82 minutes in their Monday night Premier League win over Huddersfield Town at the London Stadium as he made his return from a groin problem.

The 28-year-old is set to face West Brom at the Hawthorns and Bilic has spoken about how he is monitoring Carroll with the club’s new head of medical services Gary Lewin.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has revealed he called a team meeting on Thursday

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has revealed he called a team meeting on Thursday

It came after the Hammers registered their first win of the season over Huddersfield

It came after the Hammers registered their first win of the season over Huddersfield

‘He has matured now and knows what is needed for him to be fit every Saturday,’ Bilic said. ‘He is looking after himself and we have a programme for him. A special one.


‘With Andy, it’s about the balance. To load him but not to overload him. It’s down to him.

‘That’s why I think it’s much better because he has definitely matured and he is now looking after his body and looks fit. As though he is ready to be fit for a season.   

‘I felt he would play 60 minutes (against Huddersfield) but his willingness to play is massive.

‘He doesn’t like days off. He loves to train, he loves football.

‘With him it’s always the problem that he wants to train so much and play games. So you get the counter-effect from that.’  

Bilic had been facing mounting pressure following three opening league defeats

Bilic had been facing mounting pressure following three opening league defeats

Sportsmail’s Verdict columnist Alan Pardew this week said that he would not let Carroll train if he was West Ham boss. On that, Bilic said: ‘It’s about a balance.

‘There are some players, and Andy’s one, that you have to find special treatment for. But that doesn’t mean he can’t train the whole week. Most likely then he will get inured.

‘On the other hand, you cannot treat him as you’re treating a 20-year-old. You need to find a balance.’

Bilic called a squad meeting at Rush Green on Thursday morning to warn his squad not to think that they were out of the woods simply because of the Huddersfield win.

Andy Carroll's return to fitness after a hip injury has given West Ham a timely boost

Andy Carroll's return to fitness after a hip injury has given West Ham a timely boost

West Ham’s manager also spoke to co-owner David Sullivan after Monday's 2-0 victory. That was after Bilic appeared to hit back at Sullivan in last week’s pre-match press conference.

‘I wasn’t bullish last week,’ he said. ‘How was I bullish? I wasn’t bullish at all. I only explained the situation that he put me into.

‘I praised him and the club for things he’s done and I meant it. I explained the (William) Carvalho situation and why it didn’t happen.’

Meanwhile, Sportsmail can confirm Sporting have not yet contacted FIFA over West Ham’s chasing of Carvalho, despite their threats to do so.

World football’s governing body have not voluntarily got involved in the feud between the English and Portuguese club either.

Bilic also moved to clarify his relationship with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan

Bilic also moved to clarify his relationship with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan