Bilic hits out at schedule as pressure rises
West BROM have been able to see the finish line for most of the season, but as it draws closer they are struggling to take those final, decisive strides.
slaven Bilic’s team have been in the Championship’s top two since October but still they cannot seal the deal.
this point against Fulham, their second in succession, ensures two more wins will take Albion up but, if third-placed Brentford beat Preston tonight, the gap will be down to a single point.
Had Anthony Knockaert’s late volley dropped an inch lower, West Brom would have ended the day empty-handed.
Luckily for them, it hit the bar, meaning Fulham’s chances of going up automatically have all but disappeared — though their play-off spot is guaranteed.
West Brom travel to Huddersfield on Friday and Bilic is furious at their hectic schedule. He said: ‘the only thing I’m not happy about is Friday night. From the Hull game to the Huddersfield game, it’s five in 13 days. It’s too much. I don’t think it has ever happened before — but so be it.
‘I won’t watch the BrentfordPreston game as it will only make me nervous but I will check on my phone. I am going to be a big Preston fan of course.’
West Brom’s best chance arrived midway through the second half when Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak got a foot to Grady Diangana’s close-range effort, sending it just wide of the post.
the home side’s first scare came in the 21st minute when Ahmed Hegazi hacked clear from inside the six- yard box after Ivan Cavaleiro headed Knockaert’s ball back across goal.
Bilic switched Diangana from right to left for the second half and the move nearly paid off in the 68th minute.
Hal Robson-Kanu flicked on Dara O’shea’s cross and Diangana turned Denis Odoi, only for Rodak to keep his team level. From the corner, the unmarked semi Ajayi headed wide.
then with 18 minutes remaining, Knockaert controlled the ball 25 yards out and sent a dipping volley over the head of sam Johnstone, who was relieved to see the ball bounce to safety off the bar.
With the game was opening up, Bilic’s anger bubbled over in the final five minutes as RobsonKanu was rightly denied a penalty when he made the most of slight contact from tim Ream.
the Croat directed a volley of abuse at a member of Fulham’s coaching staff and will learn soon enough if his outburst has made it into the referee’s report.
‘We came to win the game and up to the first drinks break it was perfect, but in the end it didn’t quite happen for us,’ said Parker.
Fulham know it’s set to be the play-offs. Albion must hold their nerve to avoid the same fate.