Slaven Bilic has claimed that West Ham United's second-half improvement against Manchester City offers hope that his side can cope with their long list of absentees.
The Hammers have lost a number of first-team players through injury, including both attacking players in Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew, while Manuel Lanzini and Dimitri Payet are also currently out.
Bilic saw his side fall two goals down at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening before pulling a goal back through Michail Antonio, but the Citizens sealed the points late on when Raheem Sterling doubled his personal tally to make it 3-1.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Bilic said: "They were much better in the first half. We knew about their quality on the ball but they were quicker and more aggressive. In the second half we put them under a bit of pressure, the goal helped, but the second half I am more than happy.
"It gives us hope when the players are out injured. We stayed in the game. I wasn't happy at half time - I asked the guys to show character and spirit and a different mentality which they did.
"[I've got] praise for the team for the second half performance. A few will be back after the international break. It should be Lanzini and then Payet. That will of course change the shape of the team and the quality of the team."
West Ham have won one and lost two of their opening three Premier League games, while also exiting the Europa League at the playoff stage at the hands of Astra Giurgiu.
Daniel Lewis
