Boss Bilic pays heartfelt tribute to ‘Mr Albion’...
WEST Brom supporters may have seen less of Chris Brunt this season than in any of his other 12 years at The Hawthorns, but they can rest assured the departing captain has been as inspirational behind the scenes as ever.
Albion will bid farewell to the skipper, who brings the curtain down on his Baggies’ career, during which time he had already achieved two promotions before this season.
The team’s objectives have come first but head coach Slaven Bilic has already outlined just how important Brunt has been in these last few weeks, despite his on-field minutes being limited.
“If there was a guy who didn’t have information, and was not inside the training ground or the dressing room, or The Hawthorns, or hotels that we stay in, and they counted his minutes, they’d say he did not have an important role,” Bilic explained. “He has been instrumental. On the pitch when we’ve needed him, I don’t remember him putting a foot wrong. On the contrary, he helped us in those games, big time.
“Off the pitch, around the place, in training... I’ve been around a long time and he’s an unbelievable character – in a positive way.
“He’s Mr Albion and I’ve told him already, when we announced he was going to leave at the end of the season. What I said then, I can only repeat. That is a big thank you.” Despite there being one or two hiccups since the restart of the season, Bilic and his players aren’t just searching for reminders of achievements from months ago.
There was the win over Sheffield Wednesday, the goals against Hull and the victory over Derby; in short, the head coach has urged his side to take heart from their triumphs in the last few weeks.
“I don’t have to go back to January, or February, or August – there have been a lot of good things since the restart. From there, we’re filling ourselves with the confidence. We’re there, we’ve been good,” Bilic insisted.
“The Brentford result shows it not been easy for us and Leeds. It’s not that easy. One game under pressure shows you can be a little bit uncomfortable if you’re not winning after 15 minutes, for example.
“Yet we’ve shown enough since the restart; enough quality, compactness, solidness and individual quality.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have signed defender Nathan Ferguson on a three-year deal.
The 19-year-old right-back has joined on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at West Brom at the end of last month.
“It’s great to be here. Crystal Palace is a great club and I feel like there’s a lot I can bring to the team. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started,’’ said Ferguson.
An England youth international, he was highly-rated during his time with the Baggies, who he joined as an eight-year-old. He made his senior debut at the start of the 2019-20 season but did not play after January due to a knee injury and left the club at the end of June.