Bilic expects quarter final spot

Slaven Bilic has admitted that he would be extremely disappointed if his West Ham team fails to overcome Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Bilic, speaking to the press this morning ahead of Sunday's last 16 clash at Ewood Park revealed that expects his side to triumph in the tie - although he insisted that they will be taking nothing for granted.

"Blackburn are a good team, they are physical and it's a big club," said Bilic. "When I played - and I'm not that old! - they were a force in the Premiership and we all remember the SAS thing when they were champions. It'll be a very difficult game for us.

"They are a team who are not having a great season in the table, but they are very solid and have only conceded 28 goals. They haven't scored a lot but they've scored 61 per cent of their goals from set pieces - and that's more than enough for us to know that it's going to be a big challenge.

"Make no mistake it's going to be a very difficult game for us - but we are a Premier League side, we're having a very good season so far and I would be very disappointed if we didn't go through.

"No matter who you play, you are playing for a place in the quarter finals - and that's where we want to be. Our win against Liverpool [in the last round] will only prove valuable if we progress in the Cup and that's what we want to do."

Bilic also revealed that given his injury concerns in certain areas, such as at full back and in attack, some players have been given additional rest periods ahead of Sunday's clash.

"Because of our tight schedule we rested a few players this week," he added. " We'll be training today (Friday) and have a small session tomorrow (Saturday) then we're off to Blackpool.

"It's going to be a big test for us. But I think we're really well prepared for the game and we'll take nothing for granted."