Slaven Bilic: West Ham need to play like it's the last game of their lives

SLAVEN BILIC has called on his West Ham side to play “like it is the last game of our lives” and kick-start the season with a Carabao Cup win at League Two Cheltenham.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic understands the team needs a boostGETTY

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic understands the team needs a boost

The Hammers have lost both of their Premier League fixtures so far at Manchester United and Southampton, and Bilic admitted his players need a lift ahead of Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.

The manager said: “We need a win to get that boost, but it was a completely different feeling after the defeat at Manchester United and at Southampton, because there were a lot of positives on Saturday when we came back from 2-0 down with 10 men to equaliser. But of course we have zero points.

“We are a Premier League side, we are all professionals, it is part of our job to feel the pressure, it is always there.

“We know it is going to be a difficult game at Cheltenham, but it is up to us to make it less difficult with our performance.

We know they will play almost like a cup final, but there is only one thing we have to do to stop that and it is to play the game like it is the last game of our lives

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic

“We know they will play almost like a cup final, but there is only one thing we have to do to stop that and it is to play the game like it is the last game of our lives.

“Only with that approach are we going to reduce their chances.

“After a good performance against Southampton, now there is a platform for us before Newcastle to boost our confidence with a win, which means a lot in the club.”

The West Ham boss also confirmed he would still like to add another body before the transfer window closes, with Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho still a target.

“Like most of the clubs we are ready to do something both ways in case something good comes, so that is a maybe,” he said.

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