Hammers discipline a worry for Bilic
West Ham had their recent poor disciplinary record laid bare again on Thursday as both defender James Collins and manager Slaven Bilic were sent off in a 2-2 draw with Astra Giurgiu.
The Hammers looked to be cruising after goals from Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate gave them a two-goal lead in their Europa League third qualifying round fixture – but after Collins became the third West Ham player to be sent off in Bilic’s first five games, Astra rallied and will defend a draw in Romania next week.
Fernando Boldrin’s wonderful goal brought the visitors back into the tie before debutant Angelo Ogbonna scored an unfortunate own-goal to level the match.
Bilic was then sent from the dugout in injury-time as frustrations boiled over, with the Croatian – whose Besiktas side picked up more red cards in the Super Lig than any other team last season – admitting the recent discipline at West Ham has not been good enough.
“We gave three red cards in three rounds – it is too much,” said Bilic.
“This one was totally different than the one in Andorra with (Diafra) Sakho or (James) Tomkins in Malta. This was professional and it was too harsh to be fair but I can’t blame the referee for the decision and I can’t blame James Collins for that, the situation was very dangerous.
Talking about his own dismissal, Bilic added: “I just said to referee that I wasn’t very happy with the situation.
“If that (the second Collins booking) was a yellow card then a foul on Dimitri Payet was also a yellow and would have been that player’s second yellow.
“I wasn’t happy with that and I reacted with him (the referee). I didn’t swear. He just said I couldn’t shout.
“They (Astra) have a good result. If we play like we did in the first 60 minutes next week we definitely have a chance to go through, but if we are going to get another red card it is better we stay here.”
Bilic also said he is concerned about Valencia after the Ecuador forward, starting his first game since returning from the Copa America, was stretchered off with a potentially serious knee injury before half-time.
“I am worried to be fair,” he conceded after the game.
“And this is the reason I am unhappy. I am not happy with the result of course but this is not as important as the injury. It looks serious but we won’t know for sure until he has a scan.”
West Ham have made heavy weather of the early qualifying rounds, having been taken to penalties by Maltese outfit Birkirkara last week.
Next week’s return fixture against Giurgiu comes just three days before they open their Premier League season away at Arsenal.
For Astra coach Marius Sumudica West Ham remain the favourites to progress despite his side coming from behind to collect a valuable draw.
“Definitely not,” he said when asked if the result made his team the favourites.
“We have played one game so far and the pressure is actually on us because everyone thinks we are the favourites.”
