Fulham a role model for Albion boss

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has hailed next opponents Fulham as role models for the Baggies' big chance to nail down their Premier League place.

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has hailed next opponents Fulham as role models for the Baggies' big chance to nail down their Premier League place.

The team take on Mark Hughes' men at the Hawthorns tomorrow with the Cottagers in their 10th straight season of top-flight football.

And, while admitting chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed's investment has helped the West Londoners prosper, Di Matteo believes they are still an example for Albion.

He said: "Generally as a squad and a team, Fulham have been generally competitive and very good in the Premier League in the last two seasons.

"They made the Europa League final last season, they have been very solid and they are probably a club that you aspire to copy, because they have been in the Premier League now for many years.

"They have slowly built on their success in the past and it is probably a similar size of club to ours. Al Fayed was a big influence when he first took over and he invested heavily in the club and the playing squad.

"But, away from the financial aspect, I am talking about the technical side of the team."

Albion will begin tomorrow's match sixth in the table and unbeaten in five Premier League matches.

But Di Matteo believes his team must still improve defensively while maintaining their attacking form.

He said: "We have improved defensively. We look more solid but we can still do better."

Striker Peter Odemwingie is not expected to shake off a knee injury in time to play tomorrow, but Jerome Thomas could be recalled to the starting line-up after injury.