Krovinovic: ‘Tiredness all in the mind’

FILIP KROVINOVIC says the effects of a busy holiday period are all in the mind at table-topping West Brom.

The on-loan Croatian midfielder says he is new to the concept of a match every few days as the Christmas and New Year schedule hits home.

Krovinovic scored his first goal for the Baggies in their 1-1 draw at Oakwell against a resurgent Barnsley.

Slaven Bilic’s side have still lost just once this season – at Elland Road against Leeds United – but have drawn three of their last four. And they needed to rely on a late Charlie Austin double to defeat Birmingham.

However, amid suggestions that the hectic run of matches could be catching-up with the club, Krovinovic said it was simply a psychological, rather than physical, hurdle that the Baggies’ players had to overcome.

“This busy Christmas period is new for me, and some other players also in the team,” he said.

“But I think a lot of things are in our heads. If we say in our head that we can do it, I don’t think it will be a problem for us.

“The game is only a few days away but we are professionals, we know how to take care of ourselves and we are going to prepare for the game.”

Baggies’ keeper Sam

Johnstone was the pick of the pack from the trip to south Yorkshire. In all, the

Tykes had 22 shots on goal.

But he wasn’t beaten until late on and boss Bilic

(right) denied that his players had been riding their luck.

He said: “I was disappointed for everyone with that late goal. Sam had those three saves in the first half.

“They didn’t have 10 good situations and three chances – they had three good situations and created chances from every one of them.

“Sam was very good. I was disappointed for him but I was disappointed for everyone. He can be pleased. He had a good game.”

Bilic has several choices to make after his squad was hit by a string of injuries.

The Croatian will undoubtedly have one eye on the visit of promotion rivals Leeds United on New Year’s Day.

He said: “We have a few things to consider. I don’t know what is happening with Kieran Gibbs. We’re going to have to assess him and see.

“Nathan Ferguson got a knock on his knee against Brentford and I think that Kyle Bartley and Grady Diangana are close to coming back – although I don’t think Grady will make it for Middlesbrough.”