Albion boss’ inquest into defeat
Monday 22nd February 2010, 10:59AM GMT.
Angry Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has launched an inquest into the defeat at Bristol City and hopes for positive news from the treatment room.
The Baggies head coach was irate after seeing them surrender a 1-0 lead yesterday to slide to their first away defeat since September.
But Di Matteo backed his players to bounce back from seeing their nine-game unbeaten run ended at in a dismal 2-1 loss at Ashton Gate, missing the chance to move back into the Championship’s top two in the process.
He said: “I am disappointed and angry because we wanted to get a positive result. We’ll talk about this game and analyse the mistakes we’ve made. But there is not much time because the next game is coming up on Wednesday.
“There are still a number of games to be played so hopefully we can raise ourselves, get a few players back and get back to winning ways.
“It’s where you are the end of the season that counts. Let’s hope we can rebound and show our full strength.”
Albion are back in action on Wednesday when they take on Reading at The Hawthorns in their FA Cup fifth-round replay.
Di Matteo is hoping to welcome back more squad members from the injured list with full-back Marek Cech (hamstring) and striker Ishmael Miller (ankle) closest to making comebacks. Roman Bednar played yesterday after a back injury while defender Abdoulaye Meite was back on the substitutes’ bench after an ankle problem.
The Baggies boss said: “We’ve got a number of players out and hopefully they will come back to give us some options and a lift as well and fresh legs towards the end of the season.
“We’ve been looking at loan players but it’s not easy to find the right players to strengthen our squad. I’m looking forward to getting some players back, so I have some options. We’ve lost many players in the last two to three weeks.
“The players have been working hard and doing their best. But you could see we were lacking a bit of everything yesterday.
“It was mental and physical fatigue – they go together.”
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I think someone mentioned Haydn Mullins last week and I think it was a great call especially as he’s not getting a game. He’s a decent defender/midfielder and is just what we need, like Jara he can cover a number of positions. Now that Portsmouth have been told they can’t sell anyone, taking him on loan may suit them financially although I’m not sure what sort of wages he’d be on but at least we’d pay his tax.
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Too many games they looked tired secondhalf ,lets put some of our best reserves for the cup tie we need to concentrate on the league ,please drop J mattock he has too much on his mind
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i blame the manager for the loss ,anyone could see mattock was given the run around from the start to the finnish and still he did’t change him ,giving there winger the confidence to run at him at every opportunity and giving them the upperhand bad management
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a fan
Every Albion fan knows Joe Mattock isnt up to
it as does Roberto Di Matteo,the only reason
he`s in the team is because we`ve got no one
else for that position apart from Jara and
Cech who are both injured.
Roberto Di Matteo is a young manager who`s
still learning his trade and if he doesnt get
it right this season then Iam sure he will
in the future.The Baggies have some fantastic
players i.e JARA/CECH/OLSSON/MORRISON/DORRANS/
MULUMBU/TAMAS/BARNES/BRUNT/MILLER/BEDNAR etc
abd Iam sure if all were fit and available
we`d be well clear at the top.
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DLB.
‘Every Albion fan knows etc.’ I’m an Albion fan and I go to a damn site more matches than you. Don’t presume to speak for other people, using on the odd game you watch on TV as your yardstick. And don’t be so patronising towards our manager.
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pure and simple mates.we need a KP in the box.we still have no game in game out goal getter.
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