Express & Star

West Brom v Huddersfield Town: Slaven Bilic wary of Terriers' threat

Slaven Bilic says Albion can’t rest on their laurels for a single second if they want to beat Huddersfield.

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The Terriers, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, head to The Hawthorns otomorrow having won just once in the last 10 months.

Despite that dreadful record, there is renewed optimism around the club following the recent appointment of Danny Cowley as boss.

Cowley – and his brother Nicky – were interviewed by the Baggies board over the summer as they went about their manager search.

But they landed the Huddersfield job earlier this month, with their first match ending in a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

That result means the Terriers have lost six of the seven Championship matches they have played this season.

Danny Cowley with his brother and assistant manager Nicky Cowley during their time at Lincoln. (AMA)

In contrast, Albion are the only side in the division who remain unbeaten.

But Bilic is adamant his side will have to be at their best if they are to keep that record.

“Huddersfield have had a bad run,” the head coach said.

“We shouldn’t lie about that, you can’t lie about that – they are on a bad run.

“But they are a big club, they were in the Premier League last season, they have changed manager.

“They have players who helped them stay in the Premier League and players who played well when they got promoted.

“Something happened there, and it doesn’t have to be a big thing, for results to go like they have.

“We have to give everything. We have to use that momentum is on our side. We have to draw on that confidence.

“And we have to be doubly motivated to beat them because they are very dangerous.

“They are in a very dangerous situation. When you are at the top or at the bottom of the table, it brings special conditions.

“They are very capable and they are going to be on fire because they have no other option.

“That is why we cannot think for just one second ‘it’s only Huddersfield,’ On the contrary, it’s a big one, a big one.

During there time in charge of Lincoln, the Cowley’s became known for their innovative set-pieces.

Last season the Imps scored 38 goals from dead balls.

And Bilic knows that is something Albion have to be wary of.

“Set-pieces are one of the parts of the game that you can improve with a few training sessions,” he continued.

“It’s down to us to limit the number of set-pieces they have and to defend well. But we have improved a lot defensively.”

Likely line-up:

Likely line-up

Subs: Bond, O’Shea, Brunt, Krovinovic, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Zahore.

Huddersfield: (4-3-3) Grabara, Hadergjonaj, Elphick, Shindler, Kongolo, Chalabah, Hogg, O’Brien, Diakhaby, Campbell, Grant