‘Important’ – Sacked Bilic details what West Brom must do to beat the drop
Ex-West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has piled the pressure on the Baggies hierarchy by telling them transfers are vital if they are to improve and beat the Premier League drop.
Bilic spoke to talkSPORT presenter Jim White on the morning show (06/01/20) hours after he was announced as the new manager of Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan, weeks after his December 16 sacking from West Brom.
Sam Allardyce was brought in as the man to replace Bilic and steer the Baggies to Premier League safety but he has endured a torrid start to his reign, picking up just a single point in his first four games with a combined goal difference of -12.
Speaking on the White & Jordan show, the man who masterminded West Brom’s Premier League promotion last season is cheering his old side on, but has warned Albion bosses that January deals will be integral to their chances of survival.
He said: “It will be difficult, but for me the team has changed a lot since the beginning of the season, we were improving a lot, we were competitive in every game and hopefully Sam will continue to do it now.
“The gap is not too big, but the form has to improve. It would be important to bring in a few more players to strengthen the squad.”
Issues in all areas for Big Sam
Allardyce will not need to hear the words of his predecessor to know that his side are desperately lacking quality in all areas of the pitch.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is probably the only player who can be assured of his position with his impressive displays this season doing much to give the Baggies a glimmer of hope still.
Big Sam faces issues at both ends of the pitch with his side leaking sloppy goals as well as failing to net with any regularity themselves.
The Baggies have the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season with 39 goals conceded in 17 games, and the display of his centre halves, particularly the ageing Branislav Ivanovic, will likely see him prioritise this position.
In addition to this damning statistic, West Brom have only scored 11 league goals, ahead of only Sheffield United and Burnley.
The injury to Karlan Grant is another blow in this department and will accelerate his plans to find another forward option.
Midfield is another area in which West Brom have limited options with the form of Romaine Sawyers particularly worrying.
All in all, Allardyce will be hoping his board come up with the goods as his side continue to labour towards an early Premier League relegation.
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