Sunday 9 August 2015 12:56, UK
Slaven Bilic wants his West Ham side to be a more solid outfit this season, as he prepares for his first Premier League game in charge since returning to Upton Park.
Bilic played for the Hammers between 1996 and 1997, and is aiming to improve on their 12th-place finish under Sam Allardyce in 2014/15.
West Ham conceded just 47 goals last term, the seventh-best record in the Premier League, and Bilic wants his newly-adopted side to continue their solidity.
He told Sky Sports: "I don't know where this season is going to bring us. We are going to try to play good football, try to be solid as a unit. Not to let opponents have too many chances, try to dominate.
"It's easy to say before the start of the season. I'm very optimistic, very positive, I'm looking forward and I want us to believe in ourselves, we have something to believe in."
Former Croatian international Bilic was something of a cult hero at Upton Park during his time as a player in the mid-90s, but the 46-year-old admits the weight of expectation on his shoulders is far greater as a manager.
"As a player all that you had to worry about was your job, playing centre half, stopping the forward.
"Now as a manager you are responsible for everything, it is hard, but I like it.
"I like the responsibility, and I like to try to give my energy to the players, that energy I had on the pitch 20 years ago."
Watch the extended interview with Bilic on Super Sunday as Arsenal host West Ham live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm
