With West Bromwich Albion head coach Slaven Bilic taking his first team charges for a very difficult clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, we all know it was a mixed performance given our start to the game.
There were certainly positives to take from the way we ended the match and Bilic did just that following the full time whistle as he spoke to the press.
Former Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson was a guest on Quest’s highlights show on Saturday evening (9pm), and given the slower start, he heaped praise on goalkeeper Sam Johnstone for ensuring that the hosts weren’t out of sight before we more properly got into our own rhythm.
“Some excellent saves and Fulham really should have had an extended lead, they should have been out of sight. If it wasn’t for Sam, they probably would have been. He made some really key saves.”
Parkinson also had praise for the performance of Charlie Austin, especially the role he played in helping to distract their goalkeeper during the build-up to Semi Ajayi’s leveller ten minutes from time.
“I think Charlie Austin has just done enough without giving a foul away. When you put someone on the keeper for a corner, you try to upset the keeper a little bit without giving a foul away and he’s done that. The keeper should do better. Just before that he pushes Austin out of the way, so he’s starting to do it already, and he’s doing what an experienced striker should.”
Onto Sunday’s clash with Huddersfield Town, and hopefully three points at The Hawthorns.
Previous Article:
WBA Tie England Prospect Down To New Deal – “Excellent” “Future No 1”
