Interviews

Bilić ready for ‘massive test’

Slaven Bilić says the Sky Bet Championship is littered with difficult games but admits Fulham away may be Albion’s toughest test to date.

The Baggies have already recorded positive results on the road at Nottingham Forest, Luton and Derby - retaining an unbeaten start to the season along the way. 

And the boss insists the challenging nature of England’s second tier is what he signed up for.

“It is the most difficult game but it is not like so far we have not played good teams yet,” said Bilić. “We have played against some top teams like Derby away and Forest away.

“What makes the Championship a big and interesting league is it is pretty much even and every game is a massive test for you, so I don’t see it any different.

“We can talk about Fulham, that last year they were in the Premier League, but they are not cruising. For them it is also a big test for the players.

“It is a big game. They are the team that got relegated and they kept the majority of their players - or the ones that they wanted to keep.

“On paper they are definitely one of the favourites to go up. It is a big test for us. They started really well and then they had a little bit of a dip in the last couple of games. They are a good team, of course. Big club. We are playing on their ground and it is going to be a massive test for us.”

Bilić believes Albion’s backing away from The Hawthorns has been a key factor in the team’s unbeaten run. 

“The support is unbelievable, home or away,” he added. 

“At home you expect it but away when you feel their support away, it is significant. It is brilliant to have them and we can hear them. 

“They were a big help for us in turning the games around at Forest and Luton and to stay in the game and finish really good against Derby. We are delighted about that and they mean a lot to us, of course.”