Slaven Bilic ‘bringing out the best in Baggies’
Jake Livermore believes Slaven Bilic’s ability to relate to his players and spot their strengths are major reasons why Albion are flourishing.
Despite only being appointed head coach in June, Bilic has managed to build a side that has tasted defeat just once in 20 Championship games this season.
And Livermore, who is set to captain the side at Wigan tonight, has nothing but praise for his boss.
“To be honest he has been fantastic,” said the skipper, when asked what it’s like working with Bilic.
“He is our friend when he needs to be, he is our boss when he needs to be, he is our tactician when he needs to be.
“He is still young in his mind and I think that is really important.
“Managers nowadays, when they are still in touch with how players feel, their emotions in the game, the pressures, how to win a game as a player – I think that is a big, big strength of his and other young managers as well.
“I think being able to adapt and still think like a player is so, so important. That is something he is very good at.”
Livermore revealed Bilic is a manager who tries not to overcomplicate things.
“He’s got us a nice solid base and he tells everyone to express themselves from that,” the 30-year-old continued.
“I think that is important. I think a lot of managers try to put round pegs in square holes and that can nullify what your qualities are. But he uses the best of each and everyone that we have got. He identifies everyone’s strengths and allows them to build on that.”
The Baggies have netted in the 75th minute or later in 13 of their 20 Championship games this season.
And Livermore also feels Bilic deserves credit for the number of times he’s changed matches with his substitutions.
“He (Bilic) makes brave decisions and on the flip side we have got a squad here who know his changes are done for the right reasons,” Livermore added.
“I have been taken off a few times this season but, depending on the state of the game, I know it’s to help the team’s cause and to get three points or a point.
“That has worked a few times so credit to him, we all trust him, we all follow him – his decision making has been spot on this season.”
