So true!

Slaven Bilic has brought a modicum of realism & common sense to the claims from the 3 Amigos & certain fans that moving into the OS will make West Ham a big club able to challenge for the PL Title & also the Champions League!

SLAVEN BILIC has fired warning a shot across the bows of his bosses' ambition by pointing out that simply moving to a huge new stadium is not going to make West Ham a big club.

The Hammers are looking secure in sixth place and can put even more gap between themselves and the chasing pack by beating Southampton tomorrow.

That will inevitably bring with it talk of Europe - not least because regular Champions League football is a cornerstone of managing director Karren Brady's business model going forward for the club.

However, Bilic insists that it is far too early for any of that. And even the move to the Olympic Stadium in the summer is just one more step along a very long load.

"Billericay could rent Wembley and play their home games there next season but it would it suddenly make them a big club?" he said.

"No it wouldn't. This is just a step any club wanting to improve has to take, either to build a bigger stadium or rent one for a year or two. Unfortunately it does not make you a big club straight away.

"For this to happen you need time, good players, a good team and to be successful consistently for a number of years. It was the same with Manchester City when they got all the money. It didn't happen for them straight after. They took a few years to start winning things."

At least Bilic is confident that the fans understand and are realistic about the task in front of the club. I don't think people will be thinking that just because we are moving there we will be fighting for the Premier League or Champions League," he said. "The people know."

And the Croat was keen to explain that he meant nothing personal by singling out Isthmian League Premier club Billericay.

"I don't even know which division Billericay are in," he said. "But I remember when I was playing here Harry Redknapp always used to use them as an example of a small club or something that was not good!"


Bilic comes across as a man who realises that it is going to be an uphill task & that delivering what the 3 Amigos want will not happen overnight or even within 3-4 years, but is a lengthy process involving a lot of money & hard work.

I like him as a manager & I think he has done a good job so far at West Ham, it was courageous to stick his head above the parapet & contradict his employers, not in a negative way, but in a more pragmatic & honest way!