‘What’s the point?’ – Sinclair baffled by reported West Brom stance on Bilic
TalkSPORT pundit and former England winger Trevor Sinclair has urged West Brom to stick with current boss Slaven Bilic, despite their position in the Premier League table.
The Baggies currently are winless so far this season and sit 18th in the standings with three points from their opening seven matches.
Bilic’s side suffered their worst result of the season at Craven Cottage against fellow strugglers Fulham, who jumped ahead of West Brom with a 2-0 win.
However, Sinclair believes that the Croatian should be given more time and deserves the opportunity to spend in the transfer window.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Sinclair said: “What’s the point in sacking Bilic?
“If you’re going to give a manager money, give it to Slaven for the January window and see if he can keep you up. He’s done well enough to get them promoted in the first place.”
Under pressure
The opening weeks of the new season have hardly gone to plan for Bilic and last night, it was reported by John Percy of The Telegraph that his position was coming under increasing scrutiny.
Monday night’s performance against Fulham was particularly disappointing and the underlying metrics suggest that West Brom have really struggled so far this season.
Having generated just 3.9 expected goals in seven matches, they have the worst attack by that measure, while only Leeds United have allowed more xG against, 13.4 to the Baggies’ 12.4. Bilic’s side also have the worst xG difference per 90 minutes in the division, -1.21 (via FBRef).
Furthermore, the use of Matheus Pereira, the club’s best player from last season, in a new role on the right wing has been confusing, while the partnership of Semi Ajayi and Branislav Ivanovic simply has not worked.
With their next fixture against Jose Mourinho’s high flying Tottenham Hotspur, before a trip to Old Trafford, it is tough to see how they turn things around.
In other West Brom news, View: Bilic must make wholesale changes after dismal West Brom display v Fulham