Steve Madeley makes big Bilic claim ahead of West Brom PL clash v Newcastle
Athletic journalist Steve Madeley has said that Slaven Bilic’s position at West Brom is under serious threat and that he may only have one game left to turn things around.
In the article Madeley said, “The head coach is still in post and looks set to get at least one more game, at Newcastle United on Saturday, to turn around a season that is threatening to unravel spectacularly after yesterday’s 5-1 capitulation at home to Crystal Palace.
“But there is little doubt that Bilic’s position at The Hawthorns is under greater scrutiny than at any stage in his 18-month reign, with relations with his employers fragile.”
As Madeley pointed out, West Brom have lost all 11 games on xG this season.
“Their average xG this season is just 0.6 per game, whereas their opponents average 2.02,” Madeley said. “And there have been occasions when starting XIs have featured some surprising names.”
Some bad luck for Bilic but…
The game against Newcastle on Saturday might not even go ahead with some doubt still remaining after the Covid outbreak shut their training ground.
We hope that it does go ahead – the last thing West Brom need now is to fall even further behind and have to cram fixtures in to catch up.
Madeley says that the West Brom squad is sub-standard for the Premier League and the blame for that lies with the owners rather than Bilic.
But, Karlan Grant hasn’t really worked out yet and that was the one big transfer that Bilic made over the summer.
West Brom have also been unlucky and the red card for Matheus Pereira was the latest in a string of decisions that have seemingly gone against them.
But Bilic has to shoulder some of the blame for what’s happening on the pitch.
Baggies fans aren’t on the same page as the owners, either, and saving Bilic might be seen as the last desperate act of the current regime.
Either way, it’s been a disastrous start to the season for the Baggies and something has to change – hopefully on the pitch.
In other West Brom news, ‘This is clear bias’ – Hollywood actor makes bold West Brom suggestion after loss v Palace