Hal’s poke in the eye BILIC: WE HAD TO BREAK ’EM
WEST BROM 1
SLAVEN BILIC has ordered his West Brom stars to enjoy the “positive pressure” of being on top of the Championship table.
Hal Robson-Kanu’s late strike kept West Brom at the summit as he became their 13th different player to score this season.
Albion had to graft and be resilient, and Bilic said: “This is enjoyment!”
Grady Diangana’s cross was turned towards goal by Kyle Edwards and RobsonKanu – who signed a new contract this week – squeezed the ball home at the far post in the 82nd minute.
Bilic said: “We like being top! It is a pressure, but a positive pressure. That is why we play hard and train hard from June to now. That is why, to win games.
“Getting to the top adds pressure. But that is different to when you are fighting for your life at the other end of the table.
“We knew it would be the kind of game we didn’t want. But we were ready for it. They are a massive club, good players, two legends on the bench – Jonathan Woodgate and Robbie Keane – and we knew they’d enter the game with confidence.
“But it was down to us to drag their confidence back down. You could feel they raised their game and it became difficult. “We changed our attitude in the second half. With a greater quantity of attacks we thought they would make a small mistake and that’s what happened. So the win is well-deserved.”
The leaders also needed three top-class saves from Sam Johnstone to stay level.
Bilic (above) added: “Johnstone is a top keeper but this is his job. You need a keeper to win any league. We have one. When we needed him he was there.”
Woodgate is now under severe pressure. The struggling Teessiders have won just two of their 13 games under the rookie boss, and have lost four of their last five in the league.
Chairman Steve Gibson has recently pledged loyalty to the former England defender, but they have slid into a threat of relegation.
Woodgate was rightly encouraged d by the performance in the first 70 minutes. es. That only made defeat more painful.
Keeper Johnstone had saved close-range e-range shots from Britt Assombalonga, George Saville and Paddy McNair, and Ashley Fletcher ballooned a great chance over.
Woodgate said: “I have said to the players, ‘Keep your heads up. Stay positive. Play like that and we will win games. Simple message. No chins on the floor’.
“We are down there, but a few wins and you shoot up the table. We put on a good display, toe-to-toe with a team who o will go up. It is difficult but you have to o stay positive.” MIDDLESBRO WEST BROM 7 ........ Shots on Target .........4 5 ........ Shots off Target ......... 7 6 ................Corners ................. 7 10................. Fouls .................. 14 1 ................ Offsides ..................1 63.7 Passing Success % .81.4 259....... Total Passes ........ 549 33.1 ...... Possession % ..... 66.9 47.8 ..Territorial Adv % .. 52.2