Slaven’s position strengthens

Slaven Bilic looks entirely safe in his position despite the team’s uncertain start to the season.

The bookies had him at near odds on for the sack a month ago but he is now priced at 11/1 against the bullet with some firms.

And ClaretandHugh has been told by club insiders that he will oversee the winter transfer window plus deciding on the future of the club’s loan players.

Skybet have him behind David Moyes (6/4), Bob Bradley (2/1), Alan Pardew (11/2) and Mike Phelan (7/1) in their sack race and the club are confident he can pull their fortunes around.

A source at the club said: “This was always going to be a difficult season and the owners – as is well known – are not people who sack easily.

“Slaven has important players coming back and will be given plenty of time since he started to turn things around. The bookies odds are probably too short against him being sacked – 20/1 would be more realistic.”