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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
West Brom appear to be enjoying life under new boss Slaven Bilic after the heartbreak of being defeated in the Championship playoffs back in May.
The Baggies are unbeaten in the league, sitting in fourth place, just four points off current league leaders Swansea.
It could also be said that they haven’t even got out of first gear yet considering that summer arrival Charlie Austin, a predator in this league having netted 68 goals in 134 games, is still not fully fit.
They are still without Ahmed Hegazi, who was an integral part of their defence last season as he made 40 appearances.
Technical director Luke Dowling, who had a key say in Bilic’s appointment, has come out and said: “We also know that realistically a promotion chance is there. If it doesn’t happen this year, it will happen next year.”
That coincidentally is the time frame in which Bilic is contracted at the Hawthorns, so maybe it is a subtle hint at praising the Croatian’s exploits to date and his future plans.
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It is not as if the club performed poorly last season, they did indeed make the playoffs, but the atmosphere and feel around the west Midlands club is very much different – more positive is maybe the correct choice of words to use.
This has been highlighted by Matt Phillips signing a new three-year contract extension, citing his manager as the primary reason for doing so.
The 28-year-old labelled Bilic a ‘top manager,’ who has helped rejuvenate the club and that is the reason why West Brom have to be considered major contenders this season.
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His words, therefore, are already proving that Dowling’s decision was vindicated as he revealed his happiness at being at the Hawthorns.
Phillips is already just shy of half his total goal tally from last season having bagged two in six appearances and that’s all whilst competing with a trio of wingers who were signed on deadline day.
Fans have been praying West Ham don’t recall Grady Diangana this week whilst Matheus Pereira offered something new in midfield at the weekend.
Everyone seems to be happy and thriving under the Croat, so the appointment of the former West Ham manager already appears to be bearing fruit.
That has to continue, and if Dowling is correct, Bilic’s Baggies will be Premier League-bound by 2021.
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