West Brom boss Slaven Bilic won’t be thrown off track by one defeat

So it comes as no huge surprise to find Albion’s boss stressing the importance of maintaining belief in the wake of Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds.

Ezgjan Alioski’s first-half strike saw the Baggies beaten in the league for the first time this season and replaced by the hosts at the top of the table.

But while obviously disappointed with the result, Bilic knows the key to success in the long-term lies in the response.

Albion are quickly back in action when they host Cardiff at The Hawthorns on Saturday and Bilic said: “It’s a matter of who is going to be more consistent and how you come out of the little crisis that everybody is going to have – like Leeds did.

“They didn’t have a result in their last couple of games, but they bounced back (against us) on Tuesday.

“You can’t avoid the black holes. It’s about how quick you bounce back.

“You have to be very strong in the head, not to lose focus or belief. That is our job, and there’s no reason to lose it or to start questioning themselves.

“You don’t want to lose, but if you lose it like this, you know you’re on the right track.”

Result aside, there was no shortage of positives for Bilic to find in Albion’s performance at Elland Road, particularly during a second half in which they put the home side under sustained pressure.

Though the equalising goal never arrived, the head coach believes his team will win more often than not if they can maintain those levels.

“This is a marathon,” he said. “We have another game on Saturday and it’s a great opportunity to bounce back.

“I talked to the guys that if we start like we played here in the second half. Don’t forget where we were on Tuesday.

“Leeds board members and players have said that we’re by far the best team they’ve faced so far and that means something.

“It means something when the opponent comes to you and says something like that. I’m proud.

“There are a lot of teams (in the mix). Before the season, before the deadline, Leeds and Fulham were there on paper as favourites, but we came here with the size of the club and the performances we’ve had so far.

“Fortunately there are a lot more teams. It’s still early days but you can see that some teams are making a statement.”

Kieran Gibbs could be back available for the visit of the Bluebirds after Bilic confirmed the left-back did not travel to Elland Road due to illness.

The 30-year-old, who has not played since August due to injury, will likely have to make do with a place on the bench due to the excellent form of Nathan Ferguson.

“We were very disappointed to lose to Leeds,” said Bilic.

“But we have time to recover, recharge and continue with the way we have been playing.

“It’s another game, another three points. We are at home and we want to continue our good run at home.”