Odemwingie backed to fire back

Monday 27th December 2010, 11:29AM GMT.

Odemwingie backed to fire back

Roberto Di Matteo today backed Peter Odemwingie to bounce back instantly after the West Brom striker’s finishing nightmare at Bolton.

West Brom’s leading scorer missed a series of chances in the 2-0 defeat at the Reebok Stadium yesterday but Di Matteo today offered the Nigeria star a resounding vote of confidence.

The Hawthorns head coach said: “Apart from the chances he had a good game. If he had scored one or two we would probably be talking in different terms. He’ll be okay.

“He’s a good player and once he gets back into that rhythm he’ll put those chances away. Peter had the best chances and Chris Brunt hit the post as well. It’s quite unusual for Peter because he’s normally quite composed in front of goal and usually scores.

“But it will come. He’s been out for a few weeks. I’m sure once he gets into the rhythm again he’ll score the goals.

“He got a knock after three or four minutes on his ankle and it was quite painful so we had to give him some medication. He played through it and we’ll assess him.”

Odemwingie is adamant the ankle blow will not stop him facing Blackburn tomorrow at The Hawthorns.

He said: “I could have gone off but it was a good decision not to. I refused to believe anything was wong. I will be OK.”

Di Matteo will be without Brunt for tomorrow’s match after he picked up his fifth booking of the season yesterday to land himself a one-match ban.

But Jerome Thomas could be back after illness.

Di Matteo said: “Brunt’s a very important player for us. He’s a great player and we will miss him. But the others will have to step up.”


  1. 1
    JACK the HAT.

    Keep on doing as we are, it will come good.

    BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    baggiescomeon

    Yea Peter wasn’t at his best but we rely on him to much. I don’t know why we put Miller on before Cox, if Brunt is out for a game a resshufle might do us good. Bolton were only average, I reckon our cup side would have had more joy. I would love to have seen Tchoy as a lone striker against Wolves and would still consider it tommorow if need be.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    CantelloRocket 78

    I wouldn’t criticise Peter,because he’s already won us a large percentage of our points total with his goals,and all strikers have bad days.The only criticism I would have is that when you play 4-5-1,you expect your attacking central midfielders to chip in with goals,and so far,I can’t remember James Morrison having a shot on target so far this season,and I don’t think GD has actually had a shot at goal at all.You can’t put all the responsibility on one player.The quality of football is very good,we often outclassed Bolton.When they got the ball it was usually hoofed up the pitch to Elmander and Davies,in comparison it made us look like Barcelona at times.With a new striker in January,and keeping to our principles,I’m sure we will be fine.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    i said wolfs wud be down before the christmas cards,i wornt far out,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    we all have our off days St Pete,im sure you will put it rite tomorra aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    CantelloRocket 78

    To lighten the mood,if you want a laugh,look at the wolves posts on the Wigan result.Number 94 ‘molly knew’ tells post 62 that he has serious problems with his vision,and should book an appointment at Specsavers.He then has to send an embarrassed apology to 62,saying he meant post 79.You couldn’t make it up.It’s funnier than the Christmas TV specials.

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    worcesterbaggie

    agree,carry on as we are ,on another day we could of romped it…peter will put it away tomorrow against blackburn ,still like to see another striker for us in jan window…main thing we are still creating chances every game…keep the faith and the points will come…playing the di matteo way ,,in style of course,,,oooooooooooh yes..

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Baggie9

    Peter Odimwingie to score a hatrick on tuesday.He’s had a few weeks out still not fit,goals will start flying in.THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT ITS BLUE AND WHITE.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    The only fellow

    He did miss some sitters though dint he ? Any more of that, coupled with his injury jinx and Mick might come sniffing. Mind you, knowing Mick he will probley leave it six months and wait till hes over 35. Then he should tick all Micks boxes.

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Cyril Randle

    We shall be fine. If we had played badly we would have something to worry about, but we didn’t. It’ll come good.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    1954 baggie

    As in villa game we looked more like the home
    side Peter will not be so poor in front of goal again would like to see Cox in for Morrison he will score given his chance.
    The same performance will sweep Blackburn away
    Lets face it were not far off being a decent
    team far better than previous PL adventurers.
    Wanted Brunt out a few months ago but hes looking good some of his passes brilliant
    As Owen Coyle said weve got some terrific players after we beat Arsenal i was thinking
    top six but realistically mid table we dont
    want to lose RDM do we

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Jeevan Gill

    HAHAHA YEAH YOU WISH NO GOALS FOR HIM UP THE WOLVES

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    JtH Headmaster

    1.What will? Please be more specific, you still have problems with exams I see.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Stuart WbafcWaite

    Keep the faith boing boing

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    WHO R wba anyway??????????????????????????????

    I say Jack the fountain of all knowledge I see there has been ANOTHER RED CARD at the HOOFTHORNS
    Remind me what were you saying about CLOGGERS down the road. Your eyesight must be on the blink.Bit like your “TEAM”.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    CantelloRocket 78

    15 who am I?- I remember you posting on the wolves site not long ago that you might change your name to something like ‘why am I now an Albion fan?’,because you were so upset at wolves losing all the time.Talk about blowing hot and cold.And I bet you had to take off your shoes and socks to count all those question marks in your name.

    Report abuse



Latest Blog — Same again for West Brom

What a strange two weeks it has been since our last game. I haven’t looked over my neighbour’s fence with as much interest since Pamela Anderson moved in next door and regularly used her trampoline, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
Albion Blog

Same again for West Brom

Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Book a Business Awards table Book a Business Awards table

Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.