Slaven Bilic: Sam Johnstone showing will only boost his confidence

In an underwhelming team performance, the Baggies were beaten 2-0 at St Mary’s last Sunday.

But the scoreline would have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for Johnstone, with the keeper making two outstanding saves.

The glovesman tends to divide opinion among Albion fans.

There are many who feel he is an excellent shot-stopper.

But there are also those who feel he could be more commanding in his box.

Bilic, though, believes Johnstone will grow in confidence following his performance against Southampton.

“If there was anything positive from the Southampton game it was Sam’s performance,” the boss said.

“There has been talk about his performances and the goals he has let in.

“But he proved he is a very good goalkeeper.

“He had a really good game. He put in a good performance and that should and will give him belief and confidence.”

Meanwhile, Johnstone feels becoming a dad has helped him cope with the pressure that comes with being a footballer.

He said: “Before you have kids people say, ‘Oh it’s the best thing ever’.

“You think: ‘All right, okay, whatever.’ Then once it happens you’re like: ‘Yeah!’.

“Family comes first. No matter what kind of day you’ve had you come home, you see your kids, your family, and it half takes the pain away.

“It changes your mood. They don’t know what day you’ve had, you’re dad coming home and that’s it, let’s play and have some fun.

“That’s been very good for me.

“I’m lucky my missus does a lot. To all the mums and dads who are the main parent out there, I don’t know how they do it.

“It’s not an easy job. It’s constant: feeding, nappy-changing, crying, sleeping, no sleep, there’s all sorts going on.”

Johnstone came through the youth ranks at Manchester United. But aged 27, it is only now – following Albion’s promotion – that he is getting to showcase his talents in the Premier League.

And the keeper hopes he can produce a level of performance that will lead to him impressing England boss Gareth Southgate – with Johnstone taking inspiration from Burnley’s Nick Pope.

“First of all, I have to do well for West Brom,” Johnstone said. “There are going to be people at games, people watching, things will be highlighted more, one way or another, positively or negatively.

“Southgate is open, it’s not the same names every week, it’s whoever is performing every week.

“You look at the likes of Nick Pope, he’s doing unbelievably well in the squad. I want to do that. I want to do well and impress people and be in his thoughts of getting called up.”

n Kamil Grosicki scored a 29-minute hat-trick as Poland thrashed Finland 5-1 in an international friendly on Wednesday. Grosicki's only minutes of football for Albion this season came in the Carabao Cup win over Harrogate Town.