‘That will help’ – Bilic confirms West Brom fitness boost ahead of clash v Brentford
Slaven Bilic has confirmed that all West Brom players got through the draw against Birmingham unscathed and fit enough to play against Brentford on Friday.
Albion were held to a goalless draw by Blues on Saturday with players like Grady Diangana, Ahmed Hegazi and Kieran Gibbs all featuring for the first time since suffering injuries.
As well as that, it was the first competitive fixture that West Brom players have had to play since the Championship season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Although it was an energy-sapping occasion for Bilic’s men, the Baggies boss revealed in his press conference that everyone is fit and raring to go against Brentford on Friday.
“Everyone came through it okay,” Bilic said on Wednesday, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail. “You can’t be prepared for that. It’s like the first game of the season but in weird circumstances.
“But that should help the players psychologically, that the first game is now out of the way.
“You have that with every first game of the season but especially now considering the new conditions the games are playing in.
“That will help. I am very pleased.”
West Brom’s game at Griffin Park this week is a massive one.
Although the Baggies moved top of the standings with their point against Blues, it was a disappointing result and one that must be improved upon if the side is to get anything in West London on Friday.
Brentford have threats almost all over the pitch and Albion will need to nullify those threats to walk away with anything.
Will a draw do? Of course, we would prefer to see West Brom win but a stalemate against one of the league’s best clubs wouldn’t be the worst of results.
As long as Brentford don’t take three points off us and Fulham don’t take three points off Leeds on Saturday, it will be a good weekend for the Black Country club.
In other West Brom news, Don Goodman has been raving about Albion’s “unsung hero”.
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