‘Crazy’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips reacts to latest update on Bilic future at West Brom
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips believes it would be “very harsh” if West Brom were to sack Slaven Bilic any time soon after the win against Sheffield United on Saturday.
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reported in a video on YouTube this week that Bilic’s future remains “on a constant knife-edge” despite overseeing his first Premier League win of the campaign.
However, Phillips claims it won’t be long before the press dig out another manager who’s under pressure if Bilic leads the Baggies to another win this weekend when Crystal Palace rock up at The Hawthorns.
“I don’t read into it,” Phillips told West Brom News when discussing Ornstein’s update.
“I’ve been in football a long time and they’re all under pressure. All the managers down there are all under pressure. Even Chris Wilder will start to feel the pressure, as crazy as it seems after what he’s done at Sheffield United.
“They’re going to ride it but if they were to get Bilic, it would be very harsh. He’s done a great job there.
“There’s not one game they’ve come away where West Brom have been absolutely annihilated. They’re always in the games.
“That win [against Sheffield United] will do them the world of good but the big test is the next game. If they can get another win or get another promising result, then I don’t think anyone will be writing about Bilic and will turn their attention to somewhere else – as the press normally do.”
We’re 10 games into the season and West Brom have won just one game.
It doesn’t matter how well Albion performed against Spurs or Man United or against anyone else this season, the results are what matter the most to those who sit upstairs at The Hawthorns and make the decisions.
If the Baggies fail to win against Crystal Palace or Newcastle in their next two games then that will be one win in 12 ahead of a very tough run of fixtures around Christmas and New Year.
Fail to win these next two fixtures and we’d be gravely concerned about Bilic’s future.
In other West Brom news, Adrian Durham has recalled the moment this ex-Albion ace left him “mesmerised” at The Hawthorns.
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