MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 18:48:18| >> :120:25851:25851:

Slaven Bilic upbeat as West Brom continue search for first win

Slaven Bilic upbeat as West Brom continue search for first win
© Reuters
Struggling West Brom host high-flying Tottenham on Sunday but boss Slaven Bilic is refusing to panic.

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic is refusing to push the panic button despite his side's winless start to the Premier League season.

Bilic admitted on Friday the Baggies are in a "gunfight" after collecting just three points from their opening seven matches as they attempt to defy those who tipped them for an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship.

The Croatian felt they had turned a corner in drawing against Burnley and Brighton recently but last Monday's defeat at Fulham leaves them in the bottom three ahead of the visit of high-flying Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Speculation may be building about Bilic's future in the midlands but he recognises there is still plenty of time left in the season to turn around their fortunes.

"Every game gives us the opportunity but let's not be obsessed with a win," Bilic said. "Did Sheffield United or Burnley win (last week)? No. We don't need to get six points in the next couple of games.

"But what we need is a better performance than against Fulham, we need to build on Burnley and Brighton.

"The better we play, the more chances we'll have to get to that first win that will make the guys more relaxed in a positive way and give them more belief."

While West Brom are languishing in the lower reaches of the table, Tottenham are batting away suggestions of being title contenders having gone unbeaten in the league since the opening weekend of the season.

The form guides of both sides would indicate West Brom have their work cut out but Bilic pointed out his side were moments away from beating Chelsea in September, when a last-gasp goal secured a 3-3 draw for the Blues.

Bilic – who has no new injury concerns, with only long-term absentees Sam Field (knee) and forward Hal Robson-Kanu (broken arm) unavailable – said: "We are playing against a top side.

"Are they better than us on paper? Of course they are. But Chelsea were also better than us on paper and we were very close to getting three points in that game.

"We need a response and are we ready for that? Yes."

ID:421493: cacheID:421493:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3404:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Bromwich Albion manager Slaven Bilic pictured on October 19, 2020
Read Next:
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic prepared for a "gunfight" in Premier League
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!