West Ham United defender James Tomkins is confident that the fans will adore newly-appointed manager Slaven Bilic.

Bilic, who played for the Hammers in 1996/97, arrived from Besiktas last month to replace the departed Sam Allardyce and Tomkins is hoping he is as loved as a manager as he when he donned the claret and blue.

"I remember Slaven as a player," said Tomkins. "He didn't play as many games as you'd think for someone who has the likeability he has around this place. But it's because of the passion he showed during those games.

"The fans love that, he wears his hearts on his sleeve and put his all into tackles.

"He was an international player and has managed at international level. You don't get much bigger than that. He's very intelligent and knows his players."