Slaven Bilic’s time at The Hawthorns has been very successful so far. No Championship manager has suffered fewer defeats this season in league football than the Croatian, and his side have been the best goalscoring team in the division too, losing just five games and scoring 64 goals (BBC).
The Baggies have still got nine games left to play this season, and face some tough games against the likes of Brentford next week and Fulham in mid-April (Transfermarkt), as things stand, though, they sit six points clear of third in the automatic promotion spots and are well placed to go up.
However, had Bilic and co not fallen to a 1-0 defeat to Wigan and a 0-0 draw at Swansea in successive weekends there’d be even further clear of 3rd and would still hold top spot, yet instead, Leeds have leapfrogged the Baggies and now sit at the top of the table.
Bilic has been as measured as ever in his responses to his side falling into 2nd, though. Both places bring the same prize, so he’s well within his rights to stay calm, but the fans who are on edge should take note of their gaffer’s approach and try to take a leaf out of his book, his full comments can be found on the Birmingham Mail website.
Bilic stated:
‘I would love to be in top spot but, no, it doesn’t worry me. The results, apart from Leeds and Brentford, they were okay.’
‘With Fulham and with Forest, because that affects your motivation of the point at this stage of the season.’
‘Considering all that, the bigger picture, this was a good point. We have one less game go. The gap is a very balanced one. The gap is significant, the gap is big enough for you not to panic.’
‘If after 10 minutes it is 0-0, there is no need to panic. The gap is good but it is well balanced.’
‘It gives you more belief, more chances. But at the same time, it keeps you on your toes, it keeps you double focused and it makes you aware you can lose it in a split second and find yourself in a situation where the gap is smaller.’
‘It shows, altogether, we are in a good situation, especially when all the guys know after a game what they have to do better to win.’