Slaven Bilic predicts ‘significant problem’ for West Brom with doubtful Newcastle clash
Slaven Bilic has claimed that West Brom will have a ‘significant problem’ should their game with Newcastle be postponed next weekend.
The Magpies saw their clash with Aston Villa postponed on Friday evening after eight of their squad tested positive for COVID-19.
The Baggies travel to St James’ Park next week, but the game is still in doubt and in the hands of ‘medical’ staff according to Bilic.
Speaking on Friday via the Chronicle, Bilic has claimed that he wants the game to go ahead as he doesn’t want to have games in hand when searching for points.
“To be fair, I’d like to play that game, not because there’s a chance that they’ll not be fully fit for that game, but because having a game in hand sounds good – if you’re at the top of the table,” he said.
“If you’re lacking points, it affects the table and the table affects your mentality, it affects the media, it affects the confidence.
“One game, okay. But if it becomes two games in hand, then the gap is bigger and you’re not in the position you want to be, it becomes a significant problem.”
We are definitely with Bilic on this one.
Imagine if the Baggies pick up three points against Palace tomorrow? They will be raring to go to Newcastle next week with a great opportunity to make it three wins on the bounce.
Those points would catapult the Albion up the table ahead of games against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool and would be a massive confidence boost.
Bilic won’t want to be travelling to the Etihad Stadium without having played in over a week and will want his side at the peak of their powers against one of the best.
It would also add another game during midweek in what is already a busy schedule over Christmas, something that no one will be wanting at this moment in time.
Our fingers are crossed.
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