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Romaine Sawyers’ West Brom revival helping Slaven Bilic to stay positive

Slaven Bilic admits Romaine Sawyers’ resurgence is keeping him positive in Albion’s bid for Premier League survival.

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The midfielder came in from the cold for the controversial loss to Manchester United and kept his place for their first win of the season over Sheffield United – as Jake Livermore was on the sidelines having tested positive for coronavirus.

Following two good performances, Bilic is happy to see Sawyers back at his best and has challenged him to improve further.

He said: “That was better. That was much better. You know I’m a big fan of Romaine from last season, and I told him – I had a few conversations with him last season and now – this is where I want Romaine to be, where I want him to play.

“He’s got to be simply more active. It’s not about ‘can he do it without pace?’ No no no, he’s got it. He’s got more than enough of that, he simply has to be more active. He was, on and off the ball, in that position – you’ve got to be the metronome for the team, keep the balance, be in the zone.

“He is showing that now. He’s one of the reasons why I’m very positive.

“I want to see that – well, I want to see better, but he’s in that direction. He’s training good. He’s positive he is getting better, but again – even that is not his standard, He can still improve.

“I wouldn’t be this open to the press about it if it was about somebody who can’t do it, or he was at his limit.

“I have no problem saying that he was good, he was, but I expect him and he has to be for him and for us, to be better. He’s got it in his locker.”

Meanwhile, Rekeem Harper has been challenged for more consistency if he wants his chance on the pitch. The midfielder has made the bench in the last two games due to Livermore’s absence, but has only made two appearances this season – and only one in the Premier League.

“Last week Rekeem was on the bench because last week he was training really top,” Bilic added.

“He was in there for the game against Manchester United. He has to continue like that. He has to get that consistency in training which will push him towards getting a chance in a game.

“I counted a lot on Rekeem before the season, in pre-season. Firstly because of the budget, but also because of the quality. We didn’t have that many numbers in midfield. Also I like him as a player – I like what he can become as a player.

“I can see that, but I don’t see it every day. I see it in periods. Everything is about consistency, are we talking about a game, a season, a career, or life.

“That is the problem for him since I came here, but he is also very very young.

“Also Conor Gallagher came, and he plays those positions. I know he’s young and it’s only a few games, but he’s done it straightaway. It’s a bit of pecking order.

“Do I like Rekeem and what he can be? Definitely. If we’re talking about the last couple of weeks, he has improved a lot. His quality of training will naturally push him towards the pitch.

“Now it’s about him and it’s totally necessary - without him it isn’t going to happen. If you asked me about Romaine, about Conor, then he has to wait, because those guys are playing good.

“We’ll see what’s going to happen, but I’m very positive about what I’ve seen in the last few weeks.”