This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
West Brom regained possession of first place in the Championship following their victory over Cardiff City at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
After losing their unbeaten record in midweek at Leeds United, the Baggies showed incredible character to put that behind them and carry on as if nothing major had occurred.
Their enigmatic loan duo Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana slammed home two delightful efforts from range to hand Albion a two-goal advantage at half-time.
Charlie Austin then finally bagged his first league goal for the club with a low-driven effort after beating the Bluebirds’ backline with a burst of pace.
Though, it is at this very point that manager Slaven Bilic could have cost them the game.
According to the Croatian post-game, he wanted his side to bag a fourth goal despite being already three to the good.
He makes a perfectly valid point in reference to the historic 2005 Champions League final, where Liverpool came from behind against AC Milan to beat them on penalties, despite being 3-0 down at half-time.
However, it might actually show that he has a lack of faith in his side to close out results when under pressure to do so.
His comments would have had an adverse effect if his players did indeed feel that way inclined, especially considering they had guided the team to nine straight games without defeat before this week.
Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Their character also shouldn’t be tested as they rank first for points gained after falling behind – by a considerable margin too, having picked up 15 points from eight deficits.
Bilic’s men have only kept one clean sheet this season, so with the game at 3-0, it would appear likely that an opposition goal would be coming, so that may add some strength to the Croatian’s comments.
Either way, he should be backing his side to see out the victory as within five minutes of netting the third, substitute Danny Ward had hit one back, and that then soon was doubled to make the game nervously poised in the final stages. Is it any surprise there’s a lack of faith? Arguably not.
It remains to be seen how they would have reacted without his comments about ‘needing a fourth goal,’ but it must have played some part considering they almost crumbled to be on the receiving end of their own ‘Istanbul’ up in the west Midlands.
Romaine Sawyers did eventually get the goal his boss desperately wanted with pretty much the final kick of the game as he slotted home from Pereira’s pass.
However, if anything, Bilic’s comments show exactly why they did need that fourth goal.
