Rom’s giving Bilic a boost

SLAVEN BILIC says Romaine Sawyers is up there with the best midfielders he’s ever worked with.

West Brom’s boss has been purring in praise of the homegrown Baggie who has played a major part in the club’s rise to the Championship summit.

Bilic says that the heart of his engine-room – which contains Sawyers and Jake Livermore – is now “bossing the game”.

He was cooing over Sawyers (above) in particular. Bilic said: “As a player and as a person, he’s got everything. I mean everything.

“I’ve worked with some midfielders, I’ve played with some midfielders.

He’s up there with them.

“In every game, he’s getting better and better. He’s putting his stamp on matches more and more.

“He was doing that at Brentford. But now, it’s like he’s a top player.

“Also, he’s very consistent. That’s why he’s very important for our team.

“That’s why it’s not only us talking about him - he’s been receiving plaudits from the whole country.

“I know he will remain humble and he should continue to work hard, so I’m not afraid for him.

“Can he get better? Of course, he can. He’s one of the best I’ve worked with – but we want to raise the bar for him very high. He can improve.”

The Baggies have charged to the top on the back of five straight victories but Bilic is reluctant to delve into detail, believing too much talk will lead to slacking.

He said: “We have improved a lot. I’m happy with the team. We became more solid but without losing any of the numbers up front or taking risks. At the moment, I’m happy.

“I don’t want to talk too much about it. It can lead to complacency. Not from the players but from the fans.

“Because it will create, ‘Oh whoever comes to play us, it’s like a free lunch’. There are no free lunches.”

West Brom v Swansea Today, 12pm