West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has reacted to disparaging reports this week.

Bilic, first discussing the players' night out, wrote for the London Evening Standard: "Generally it was good and a lot of time it helps. Okay, I've seen some stories about one or two of our players maybe staying out longer than others and we will deal with that after the Middlesbrough game. When you are not doing well there seems to be many of these stories. I understand that. There was another one this week about players' children at the training ground.

"I am tempted to give a two-word reply to that but if my mother in Croatia saw it, she wouldn't be happy.

"Seriously, come on.

"I know how it works with these stories, though. It was the same for Chelsea last year, for Newcastle, for Manchester City, a few Italian and German clubs as well.

"When it happens to them, you might think about it for a few minutes and ask yourself: “What is happening there?"

"When it happens to you, though, it is a little different.

"Last season there were more kids at the training ground at Chadwell Heath, so that's it. The bottom line is that your methods are great — when you are winning. If you are not, your methods come under question. You are either too strict, or too soft.

'If you are winning, you are good because you are strict or good because you are friendly with them."