Express & Star

West Brom set for festive boost from fans

Albion will be backed by bumper festive crowds – with a big following at Barnsley on Boxing Day followed by home sell-outs against Middlesbrough and Leeds.

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West Bromwich Albion Fans. (AMA)

Around 3,500 have snapped up tickets for the trip to Oakwell on Thursday with the club hoping to close in on selling their full allocation of 4,300 for the clash.

The Baggies have also announced their home double-header against Boro on Sunday and the clash against Championship title rivals Leeds on New Year’s Day have both been sold out. And boss Slaven Bilic is looking for Albion to stand up to the physical battle those fixtures present in the usual hectic festive period.

That starts on Thursday against the Tykes, who have been in a good run of form – with three wins and a draw from their last five fixtures lifting them off the foot of the Championship table after a poor start to the season.

“It will be very difficult,” said boss Bilic.

“Make no mistake, we’re expecting a big one. We had recently one game where we didn’t answer their physicalities and passion – that was against Wigan.”

“Now we have a similar game. Barnsley already had a good game here (at The Hawthorns), 2-2.

“A young side, good side, they’ve got everything to lose of course, but they’re enjoying it – at least they did here.

“Someone told me they’ve won three of their last five, so it feels like all the time we’re playing teams who are coming into form.”

And he expects a physical battle: “Yes of course. I remember last time here, when Barnsley played their game, they ran 119 kilometres (as a team).

“ We matched them. Normally you have 107 or 108, Barnsley was top in terms of running, home and away.

“So they run. Very simple. We have to run.”

And he believes his Baggies side will be buoyed by the travelling support at Oakwell.

“That’s very good for us,” said the head coach. “They’re important. We can feel them. We have enough time to rest, we are in same position as Barnsley - they have five days, we have five days.

“We lack one day, but they lack one day too.”

Bilic is hopeful of having Kieron Gibbs back from a hamstring injury suffered in the victory over Swansea.

He added: “With Gibbo, you never know. He should be.

“His target was for Boxing Day, for him and the whole medical staff. He should be fit.”