Bilic has brought in good players (I acknowledge Ajayi and Furlong but Bilic is otherwise our chief scout) and at times brought great football. I don’t believe we can have asked for a stronger manager last summer. I still thank my lucky stars we didn’t get Alex Neil - if we had please remember no Pereira no Diangana and in all likelihood no top 2 position at this stage.
Bilic made a mistake yesterday with his starting line up and with his substitutions. He knows he got it wrong, we know he got it wrong and I expect (some) of those senior players from the starting line up know they let him down yesterday too.
I think some of the reactions have been over the top, as in my opinion the decisions made by Bilic in games this season have meant he’s gained way more points than he’s lost. I also believe it was good work in gelling this squad so soon at the beginning of the season. I also care about Albion’s reputation and appreciate what Bilic has done to repair the reputation of Albion (maybe I shouldn’t care so much about this but I do and I’m grateful Bilic took the job).
If we don’t hit the top two I’m not blaming Bilic. He and the club rebuilt massively imo and if you disagree then 1- fair enough this is a forum and 2- I ask you to look at our squad for the first preseason game in the Summer.
Bilic needs to make some brave decisions now. I hope the management team consider a formation that encourages goals and a line up that tells poor performing players that if you don’t hit the standard you are out.
I am still 70% confident we will make the top two. To those who have been especially critical of yesterdays performance, whilst I understand the sentiment I would also say that if Brentford are that good do remember they only just beat us - we are still a very good team that is perfectly capable of winning our remaining games.
To those who doubt Bilic in the premiership well we need to get there first and frankly I would love to see Bilic manage this team in the prem. I think we’d surprise a lot of people including many of my fellow fans.
As a fan, considering our ‘form’ I would new ideas in our formation (2 up front, or maybe none - Phillips as CF- considering our actual strikers can’t score), a refresh in the midfield (Pereira and Diangana wide maybe with Krov starting in the middle) and I think this could help find a new way to surprise teams that have now worked us out.
It’s up to Bilic to be brave on this and I’m backing him. Feel free to pick holes in this but it’s how I’m feeling after yesterday.