West Brom boss Slaven Bilic: I didn’t know Hal Robson-Kanu was so good

The striker has become something of a super-sub for the Baggies this season following a string of impressive performances from the bench.

As well as netting in the last two games against Charlton and Stoke, Robson-Kanu has also made game-changing contributions after being introduced against Fulham, QPR, and Middlesbrough. And Bilic admits he is thrilled with how the Welsh forward is performing. “He (Robson-Kanu) is a very important player for us,” the head coach said.

“He’s not a goalscorer but he is scoring goals. It’s unbelievable and good for him and very good for us.

“He’s like a number 10 up front. He’s got such good skill. He can keep the ball, bring other guys into the game.

“His left foot is like a number 10’s left foot. For me, he’s a top player, an extremely good player, very underestimated. I didn’t know he was this good. Now I know.

“But when I came to West Brom I didn’t. He’s a top player.”

Bilic says Robson-Kanu’s impressive performances mean he is now in contention to start at Hull on Saturday – with fellow strikers Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore also battling to be in the team. “He (Robson-Kanu) is scoring goals so he’s knocking,” the Croatian continued.

“It is all about the squad.

“He probably expected to start earlier. But I’m quite happy with what he’s doing for us.”

Robson-Kanu himself admitted he would like to be starting more games.

But he says, for him, the main thing is doing a job for the team.

“Every player wants to play and start games and I am no different,” he added.

“Every time I have played I have always made an impact.

“But it’s about the squad and contributing to that squad in games and maintaining a high level of performance.

“That is what is going to make us successful.”