West Brom’s midweek win over Bristol City was a brilliant result for the Baggies and a game that they won’t forget about anytime soon. Slaven Bilic’s side smashed four goals past the Robins, becoming the first team to do so in the Championship since they did it themselves in September 2018.
However, as strong a performance as it was the fans can take a massive positive from the fact that they’ve got more than just a win against Lee Johnson’s Robins, they got all three points, plus three-goal difference and still managed to rest some of their key players.
Both Charlie Austin and Darnell Furlong were given spots on the bench for the clash, with Furlong missing out on a starting spot for the first time after 13 straight starts in the Championship for the Baggies (Transfermarkt).
That rotation was much needed at The Hawthorns. The fans have loved seeing Furlong star down the right flank for them, but the intensity of modern football combined with the thick and fast fixtures that Championship sides face is a recipe for injuries and could give Bilic a real problem.
Furlong wasn’t the only man given a rest, though. Filip Krovinovic was left on the bench and was an unused substitute, who had the easy task of watching on whilst his teammates recorded a 4-1 win, and it’s increasingly clear that Bilci knows exactly what he’s doing.
Will Slaven Bilic guide us back to the Premier League?
Yes
No
Keeping his players fit and fresh will be just as important across the course of a 46 game season as his game plan and tactical approach, and to see that the former West Ham man is willing to give his fringe men minutes as well as give some of his star men time on the bench can only be a good thing.