Slaven Bilic delighted with progression of West Brom duo in Premier League
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has praised Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong, claiming that both have improved dramatically this season.
The Baggies duo have played as full-backs and wing-backs this season, seeing off the competition of Kieran Gibbs and Dara O’Shea.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Sheffield United, Bilic backed both players to continue improving due to their impressive work ethic.
“They were good last season in the Championship but they have improved a lot – defensively and offensively,” he said, via Express and Star.
“They are the reason why in recent games we have been so close to a result. They are doing well, they can still improve – like every player. But are they doing well? Yes they are, I have to say that and I am very pleased for both of them. They are hard-working guys.
“We know the story about Conor Townsend, where he has come from. And it’s great for Darnell too, he came from the Championship, from QPR, still relatively young. Now he is doing well in the Premier League.
“It’s all about competition in those positions. But at the moment I am pleased with how they are playing.”
Bilic was not wrong to praise his full-backs and noted the impact they have made going forward, in addition to their defensive work.
According to FBRef, no West Brom players have had more touches of the ball this season than Townsend and Furlong, while they rank first and third respectively in terms of completed progressive passes.
Only Filip Krovinovic has completed more key passes than the two full-backs and they rank first and second in terms of completed crosses in the penalty area.
Within a back three system, they can have even more of an attacking influence and after the improved performance that a shift to this system resulted in against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, it would be no surprise to see Bilic stick with it on Saturday.
In other West Brom news, Bilic highlights one key area West Brom must improve on v Sheff Utd