Bilic fears missing out as nerves get to Albion
GARRY MONK hailed Sheffield Wednesday after they took QPR apart in the capital.
Goals from Dominic Iorfa, Josh Windass and Jacob Murphy secured a much-needed win for the rampant visitors.
‘We had lost three in a row and we needed to respond,’ said Monk. ‘It was a very pleasing day.’
GRANT McCANN remains confident Hull can avoid relegation.
Hull have one win since New Year’s Day and failed to capitalise on their relegation rivals’ results, with Ryan Leonard’s 30-yard strike sealing Millwall’s win.
McCann said: ‘We know what we need to do to stay into this division.’
IF West Brom do not navigate the direct route into the Premier League, they will have cause to regret the chances they missed at Ewood Park.
Slaven Bilic’s team appeared on course to reopen a five-point gap, only for a raft of chances — either repelled by the outstanding Christian Walton in the Blackburn goal or woefully squandered — to turn the final throes of this most irregular season into a coronacoaster.
Brentford’s win at Derby, combined with an inability to add to Filip Krovinovic’s first-half volley, left West Brom just three points ahead of the London club.
When Joe Rothwell emerged from the bench to score his first league goal of the season it altered the dynamic of the closing stages. Kyle Bartley prevented Lewis Holtby’s back-flick providing a complete turnaround and Bilic and Blackburn captain Darragh Lenihan were involved in a touchline tussle, for which they were both cautioned.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray said: ‘It got a bit tetchy but that’s pressure for you. They will be able to relax in 10 days if they get over the line. I’ve got my fingers crossed for them, it’s a great club and they deserve to be in the Premier
League.’ Mowbray should be used to this fixture being played out in front of people wearing masks. In his last game as West Brom boss 11 years ago, the away end housed a couple of thousand Mowbrays in tribute to him.
Charlie Austin twice failed to open the scoring but West Brom went ahead six minutes before the break when Krovinovic volleyed in Austin’s cross. The Croat hit the post four minutes into the second half and Grady Diangana should have scored immediately after Rovers’ equaliser.
‘Usually, you don’t create this number of great chances, and if you don’t score them there’s always the possibility it can be costly,’ said Bilic, whose side face promotion rivals Fulham on Tuesday evening.
NEIL WARNOCK has warned Middlesbrough they cannot rely on others to avoid the drop.
Nahki Wells (two) and Jamie Paterson were on target for Bristol City.
Britt Assombalonga scored a late reply and Warnock said: ‘Others are in worse shape, we have got to capitalise.’
PRESTON boss Alex Neil was left frustrated after North End were held to a draw by play-off rivals Nottingham Forest.
Jayden Stockley cancelled out Lewis Grabban’s early penalty, but then failed to make their dominance count.
Neil said: ‘I wouldn’t say we are pleased. They had one shot on target and that was the penalty.’