Roy Hodgson working to plug leaks

Friday 18th February 2011, 11:02AM GMT.

Roy Hodgson working to plug leaks

Leading scorer Peter Odemwingie has revealed how new boss Roy Hodgson has already made his mark at Albion – by focusing on their leaky defence.

The Baggies striker told of how the squad were subjected to an intense workout yesterday, as they stepped up preparations for Sunday’s Black Country derby showdown with Wolves.

And stemming the flow of goals past goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was the focus of the session, according to Odemwingie.

The Nigeria international sat out training yesterday as he completed strengthening work after a series of niggling injuries.

But he said: “From what I heard, the two training sessions were very interesting and yesterday’s was very intensive.

‘The guys came back tired and it was a long session. Jonas Olsson was saying how the new manager was explaining new things to the defence.

“It was something new about how he wants us to defend a certain situation and, with the way Jonas was talking, he must have learned something new.

“Everyone was talking about tactical discipline and specific roles and being organised. They were the things that were going around and I am looking forward to seeing it in practice.

“In the last few games we scored, but we conceded as well so hopefully we can keep the scoring but not concede as much.”

Odemwingie admitted the players had to work hard to impress the new boss in the build-up to Sunday’s meeting with Wolves.

He said: “The boys were a little bit tired but not with negative faces, because they knew the derby was coming and the new manager was there.

“You have to make a good first impression on him – that’s very important – and of course we are preparing for a derby so we have to prepare ourselves well, especially after having a couple of days off.

“That is why everyone is concentrating hard. It is usual that when there’s a new coach everyone has to fight for his position.

“You have to show him the quality you have and what you can do so you can be used to be as effective as possible.”

Albion’s defence is the leakiest in the Premier League after Saturday’s 3-3 draw with West Ham.

The Baggies have conceded at least twice in their last 10 Premier League outings.


  1. 1
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    i hope its sunk in,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    wudent it be easier to get homeserve in to plug our leaks aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    amsterdam baggie

    sir t you have nothing to learn about cynicism,i agree with you though defence is the KEY to survival,clean sheet sunday will be more welcome than rain in the sharah but that dont happen too often ,but you never know.just booked a trip for the whole family for the Arsenal match ,we should be out of trouble by then!!!!maybe we need 1or 2 catusos in midfield,poor old joe he looked terrified,a bit of cynicism .boing boing,bring on the pups!!!!!!

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Warren

    If St.Peter’s so keen to make an impression, you have to wonder what got into his mind last weekend as, despite knowing Roy was there, he looked disinterested.

    I hope Hodgson has lifted this group of players as we are good enough, but if we don’t show it soon, we’re in big trouble.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    amsterdam baggie

    just found out its on live in holland ,maybe gianni is going to start,boing boing

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Farmer Ted

    Well, were gonna find out if an old dog can teach new tricks
    Woy will have them holding hands with their favourite Wolves player at corners and free kicks,telling those brave boys in the wall, not to be frightened at being hit by that nasty ball when Nenad Milijas kicks it hard. Meanwhile Myhill has learned to shout “Don’t forget what the gaffer said” in 5 different languages.
    They also found a bigger barn door for Oddlywinkie to practise his shooting.
    Are you ready Baggies ?

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Son Of Albion

    Ar, of course we’m ready!! the way a lot the Dingles am gooin on, they’re one of the best sides in the country and we should be runnin scared! Yow lot should just be as nervous as us lot, we’ll be better organised this wick and the players SHOULD want to impress the new bloke. It’ll be a 3-1 to the Baggies.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    astleistheking

    Lets remember we playing a team thats only scored 9 away goals away from home this season and are bottom of the league so I wouldn’t expect a goal rush from them.

    We will be fine.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    JACK the HAT.

    (4)
    Warren,
    We had quite a few players on international duty. It’s not down to just playing, but hours of travelling also. Our guys we’re obviously tired and it told in the second half against the Hammers. E.G. Did you notice the difference between Arsenal V wolves: Arsenal were in first gear. Arsenal V Barcelona: Arsenal were in overdrive.
    (6)
    Ted the farmer,
    Oh aar, we get your nervous vibes, who in your defence is going to do the honours for us?. Y’know boot the leather into his own net, put in a beautiful back-pass for our boys to slip it passed your Wales number two keeper?. Oh arr, we be ready.
    (7)
    Son of ALBION,
    Just for a moment, Pretend we were in there place. How would you feel if our backside was super-glued to the bottom of our league. Well that’s what they feel like.

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

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Cyril Randle

    All this bravado and really we are all sitting on 4 inch drawing pins. Sir Terence, I reckon you should get the Homeserve free season ticket for the gag at No.2 post. Have you ever thought of a career in advertising?
    St. Peter, score on Sunday, for us of course and your name will be for ever etched in Albion legend, especially if it’s the winner. My own feelings are it will be close, damn close, down to some brave risking all in a scrummage.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    CantelloRocket 78

    6 farmer ted-

    tut,tut,shame on you,trying to take the ‘P’ out of Peter.

    Let me see,who was it that cost us 2 million,but has scored more premiership goals this season than the 15 million Fletcher and Doyle partnership put together?

    The biggest problem for Albion’s strikers is how to get the ball over the heads of the 10 wolves players standing on the goal line.

    At least,the wolves players will eventually move 50 yards up the pitch-to get to the dressing room at half-time.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    BrierleyHillBaggie

    Mike Riley in charge.
    Wish we had Howard Webb myself.
    Hope he can keep control.
    Could get a bit thirsty.

    BAGGIESBAGGIESBAGGIES

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    Dick van Plug(sobriquet)

    Whoops,there goes the season!We are doomed under the current administration,they’ve sacked the best manager we’ve had since Tony!Once we’re all warm and cosey in the Duff league they’ll probably have another go!

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    roll along tomorra lets get it over with and put um out there misery,reading there post they actualy think they guna win,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    baggie 88

    farmer ted….

    tht the same odemwinge that has scored more goals than ur 6 milion strikers doyle and fletcher along with the rest of the dribble u have up top.id take ur barn door back to inbreadhampton if i were u,theres a reason u are bottom of the league

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    JACK the HAT.

    (13)
    Gutless,
    aren’t you big enough to say you’re a dingle, or are you ashamed to be one, Children do childish things. Congratulations for not wanting to be associated with that lot from down the road.

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

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    11 CR78.
    In answering Farmer Giles you have underestimated their much vaunted strike force.

    But only if you include SEB in it. The three strikers have managed 11 goals between them in 38 starts, 62 if you include substitute appearances. While it’s took PO 20 starts to amass his 9 goals, 21 if you include sub appearances. SEB also pushes up the ‘value’ of this dynamic trio to 17 mill, I’m just off to Price Comparison.com to see how this compares for value.

    If we find this bigger barn door how big would it have to be before Wolves could use it?????

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    East Coast Baggie

    I just wonder sometimes if our lack of tackles and going in hard was anything to do with Di Matteo, Newton and Appleton all having their playing days ended early by leg injuries…..just a thought.
    anyway best of luck for the big one Woy, come on you Baggies.

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    WVWolf

    Fletchers got a similar goals to starts ratio as odemwingie (Odemwingies scored 9, Fletchers scored 4 & started half as many games)

    Report abuse

  20. 20
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    On the celebrity fan gallery. What about Cat Deeley? Proper Albion fan as opposed to Eric Idle ‘thought to be a Wolves fan from his childhood.’

    Report abuse

  21. 21
    WVWolf

    Ok lets see whos got more famous fans.
    Albion: Cat Deeley
    Wolves: Andy Murray (yes one of the best tennis players in the world supports the old gold & black), Robert plant, Sam Allardyce.

    Report abuse

  22. 22
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    19 WVW.
    Good statistic if you ignore Fletcher’s 12 Substitute appearances compared to Odemwingie’s 1. Minutes on the pitch PO’s goal ratio is almost double Fletcher’s.

    Report abuse

  23. 23
    Cat Deeley

    I like Wolves actually,as there is a funny smell around West Brom!(probably down to fear) lots of luck x

    Report abuse

  24. 24
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    21 WVW.
    Try Goran Ivanisovic. A tennis player that has actually won Grand Slam events.
    Robert Plant? Eric Clapton, about level.
    Sam Alladyce? Matthew Marsden Hollywood star, Black Hawk Down etc.

    Report abuse

  25. 25
    CantelloRocket 78

    21 wvwolf-

    other celebrity Albion fans include Ann Jones,former Wimbledon Ladies Champion (yes a winner,not a tennis loser),and would you believe Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones?

    Eric Clapton,and a Rolling Stone must outweigh Percy Plant.

    Although I’ve heard wolves have another famous fan- Basil Brush.

    Report abuse

  26. 26
    Cat Deeley

    You could try some canesten for your thrush boys? Never leave home without it! lol x

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    21,andy murry one of the best tennis players in the world? hes won about as much as yow lot,hes proberly the most hated player in the world just like your the most hated fans,your even more deluded than i fust fort,aye boing boing

    Report abuse



Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football

This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog

A week is a long time in football

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.