Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has hit out at football’s schedulers and claimed the hectic fixture list has prevented the team working on their defensive problems.

The Hawthorns head coach says the schedule of 15 throughout February and March is hampering efforts to work properly on defensive issues.

Wednesday’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Reading saw two more defensive lapses from Di Matteo’s side after they conceded a poor winner at Bristol City last Sunday.

But the Italian said: “We’ve talked about that but there is just not enough time between games to work on it on the pitch.

“Every three days you have a warm-down then it is match preparation and tactical drills.

“We are addressing it because it has cost us dearly.

“The defending has been down to a combination of factors in my opinion.

“There have been individual errors, a lack of concentration in certain periods and that could be a consequence of a bit of fatigue.”

Today’s Hawthorns meeting with Derby is the eighth of the month for Di Matteo’s Albion side in League and Cup.

And the Italian believes so many games is bad for everyone, including supporters, who do not see players performing at their best.

“Common sense is a big thing but not too many people apply it.

“With today it’s eight games in this month and we’ve got seven in March, starting on March 6. It’s crazy.

“It’s humanly impossible to be at your best every three days.

“But it’s been a known factor for a while and it doesn’t look like the system has changed in any shape or form.”

Di Matteo’s injury-hit squad has at least been boosted this week with the return of midfielder James Morrison from a 10-month injury lay-off.

But the head coach has warned staff must continue to monitor the former Middlesbrough man as he eases his way back into first team action.

“When you’re out for that long and you come back into the team and you play you can feel like you don’t have any problems,” said Di Matteo.

“But then you can pick up injuries very easily because your body is not accustomed to the tempo of the game.

“You have to go gradually.

“But it’s good that he’s come through and it’s always better to play.”

Meanwhile, Di Matteo today issued a rallying call to fans as West Bromwich Albion embarked on the final 14 matches of their bid for promotion.

He said: “We are now entering the final 14 games of the season and we have everything to play for.

“I believe we have exciting times ahead of us and the supporters have a massive part to play between now and the end of the season.

“Playing so many matches isn’t just physically exhausting, it also causes mental fatigue – and that’s when individual mistakes creep in.

“That is why we need the supporters right behind all of the players, because it is the ones who are struggling for top form who really need their help.”