West Bromwich Albion: Fans laud Slaven Bilic after Birmingham win

Appointing Slaven Bilic as their new manager at the beginning of the season clearly looks to have paid dividends at this stage of the campaign, so much so that West Bromwich Albion fans have been hailing the Croatian boss once again on Twitter.

The Baggies managed to see off local arch-rivals Birmingham City in a Midlands derby that took place at St. Andrews in Saturday’s early kick-off, despite finding themselves going behind twice in the game (BBC).

Lukas Jutkiewicz got the hosts off to a perfect start inside the opening three minutes when he headed home, however Bilic’s side were left thanking West Ham United loanee Grady Diangana just moments later when he levelled the tie.

Birmingham took the lead once again in similar fashion as they scored just after the restart in the second half when Harlee Dean netted, a late double-salvo from substitute Charlie Austin meant they would return to the top of the Championship and remain there after a collapse by promotion rivals Leeds United later on in the afternoon.

Fans were understandably delighted with what their side had managed to achieve on the pitch, however many of them also took the opportunity to sing the praises of their current manager.

One supporter had even admitted that having Bilic at the club was the best bit of news they had had in decades.

Here are just some of their reactions…

Blues played well, but WBA having Bilic is the best bit of the news this club has had in decades.
Fluidity of change to a 3-5-2 when 2-1 down was key..
Somehow we got him, bloody magic.
Feel for Blues, play some great stuff v WBA, in recent years, but just get keep getting stung

— Andy Caulton (@AndyfromNewHamp) December 14, 2019

Best compliment for him is that no one has mentioned Lai or Jenkins for about 3-4 months. Dowling has made some fantastic decisions – bilic the best one. We have to keep together keep pushing on

— Luke Stokes (@lukestokes84) December 14, 2019

Austin has been useful already but today he really arrived at the Albion. Two great and distinctly different goals to win a match I thought was lost. HRK was brilliant too. Bilic has somehow got a previously weak area of the pitch absolutely firing. What a job he’s doing!

— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) December 14, 2019

That’s why we are top of the league & likely to be in the Prem next season.

Top players/match winners like Austin are god sends in this league but a top class manager is an even greater quality to have.

Bilic masterstroke, again!!

Doesn’t mention substitutions

— Pete Burns (@TheFootyTog) December 14, 2019