FRANKLY SPEAKING
Bilic: I have spoken about Lampard more than anyone else in my whole career - the sky is the limit for him
SLAVEN BILIC said he knew Frank Lampard would be a successful manager from the day they first met.
Bilic shared a dressing room with a young Lampard at West Ham and identified him as a man destined for stardom.
Now the West Brom boss must try to lower his old team-mate’s colours when his Baggies take on Lampard’s Chelsea team this evening
Bilic said: “Right from the beginning you could see Frank had a plan and the sky was the limit for him.
“Whenever I spoke to other players, whether it be in Turkey, Russia or England, he was the person I talked about more than anyone.”
Bilic said he admired Lampard became a superstar for club and country despite the pressure he suffered coming through the ranks at Upton Park
He said: “He was talented but he also worked very hard. He had pressure on his back because his father was assistant manager. He had that pressure of people thinking he was privileged because they perceived his father was pushing him.
“I think that helped Frank cope with pressure and go on to become one of the best players in the world. He is really spot on both on and off the field. He’s got a massive career ahead.”
Premier League new boys Baggies are pointless and go into this evening’s game on the back of a 5-2 defeat at Everton, but Bilic insists his players should not beat themselves up.
He said: “After a defeat like that you can’t normally talk about positives but that one was different because we had Kieran Gibbs sent off early on.
“It’s the Premier League and it’s different to being in the Championship.
“Last season we lost only lost eight out of 46. That’s eight times you are sad and the rest of the time you’re happy. Now it’s different. It’s hard to win games but what’s the alternative? Pack your bags and go home?”
Branislav Ivanovic could make his Albion debut against his former club but has to prove he is up to speed.
The 36-year-old, who joined Albion last week, won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and Champions League in a nine- year spell at Stamford Bridge but Bilic said sentiment will play no part.
Bilic said: “He hasn’t played much so he’s still a bit short. Chelsea might have come a bit too soon for him.” the way