Slaven Bilic knows from experience that a lengthy Europa League campaign can have an adverse effect on domestic league form.
The new West Ham boss will lead his side into a second round qualifying tie with Birkirkara tonight – as every other Premier League side eases their way back into their pre-season preparations.
Having already seen off FC Lusitans of Andorra, the Hammers’ season is well under way and Bilic – who took Besiktas into the last 16 of the tournament last year – knows the extra games can eventually take their toll.
“The Europa League, if we qualify of course, it’s good for the club,” he said at his first press conference since replacing Sam Allardyce, yesterday.
“It is good for the spectators and individually the players. To play against clubs that play different styles. It boosts your confidence and your quality as a man and a player.
“But it takes from you too. Last year I was at Besiktas and the Europa League cost us because it was something like playing 20 games Saturday, Thursday. At the beginning it’s great for you if you’re winning.”
With the first leg against Lusitans coming just 39 days after the close of last season, the club tapped into their academy to blood a number of youngsters.
Those players – the likes of Reece Burke, Reece Oxford and Elliot Lee – could continue to play an important role throughout the season if West Ham progress in Europe.
“It is a difficult balance,” Bilic said. “To think that you have two teams because we didn’t want to call up the senior players before because we’re going to need them until May. In England there is no winter break.
“But we wanted to respect the Europa League because it’s a big opportunity and privilege to any club. So we wanted to find a balance.”
Having re-united his senior players, who have been at a training camp in Ireland, with those individuals who took part, the likes of Adrian, James Tomkins, Winston Reid, Mark Noble and captain Kevin Nolan are all expected to be named in a strong-looking side today.
Diafra Sakho is banned having been sent off in the previous round, whilst only Pedro Obiang of the new signings is in contention to play against Birkirkara.
Second qualifying round
Today’s fixtures
Kukesi vs FK Mladost Podgorica
Beroe vs Brondby
S. Rovers vs Odd Ballklubb
NK Lokomotiva Zagreb vs PAOK
KR Reykjavik vs Rosenborg
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs FC Thun
Slovan Bratislava vs UCD
AIK Stockholm vs FC Shirak
Kairat Almaty vs Alashkert FC
Ferencvaros vs Zeljeznicar
Legia Warsaw vs FC Tskhinvali
Vojvodina vs FK Spartaks
FC Vaduz vs Nomme JK Kalju
Dacia Chisinau vs Zilina
J. Białystok vs Omonia Nicosia
FK Jelgava vs Rabotnicki
Mlada Boleslav vs Stromsgodset
FH Hafnarfjordur vs Inter Baku
FK Cukaricki vs FK Qabala
Cherno More vs Dinamo Minsk
Inverness vs FC Astra Giurgiu
S. Soligorsk vs Wolfsberger
HNK Rijeka vs Aberdeen
Spartak Trnava vs Linfield
Trabzonspor vs Differdange
West Ham United vs Birkirkara
FC Copenhagen vs Newtown
Charleroi vs Beitar Jerusalem
Apollon vs HB Torshavn
Slask Wroclaw vs IFK Goteborg
Randers FC vs Elfsborg Boras
Koper vs Hajduk Split
Skonto Riga vs Debrecen
Second legs: July 23.