Olsson braced for Stoke’s aerial bombardment
Wednesday 23rd February 2011, 12:27PM GMT.
Defender Jonas Olsson today claimed Albion will be ready to deal with Stoke’s aerial bombardment in next Monday’s crunch Premier League clash.
The Baggies’ centre-back believes Sunday’s derby showdown with Wolves was a useful warm-up for the meeting with Tony Pulis’ direct side at the Britannia Stadium.
The Sweden international said: “I thought we dealt quite well with Wolves, and they are quite direct as well.
“Hennessey kicks the ball longer than any goalkeeper in the league and we defended well with that and we defended crosses well as well.
“That’s what it will be against Stoke but they will add the throw-ins as well.
“I enjoy defending that way and as a tall centre-half that is what you like.
“If they throw balls at you can head them away.”
Monday will see the Baggies go face-to-face with on-loan Villa striker John Carew, who opted to join the Potters instead of Albion during the January transfer window.
And Olsson is relishing the challenge of the Norway international, but he insists the forward’s decision to snub the Baggies will have no bearing on the game.
“I don’t really care about that,” he said. “I think he is a good player but I don’t know what his reasons were for choosing Stoke above us and it’s not really relevant for me.
“For me it is just about getting a result there and we know we’re going to be up against good players.
“He is one of the players I was impressed with when we were up last time.
“I liked playing against him and it will be a good test but that’s all I think about it. I won’t focus more on him, it’s just about us trying to get a result.”
Olsson ended Sunday’s derby as an emergency striker as the Baggies salvaged a point in the derby, and the 27-year-old added: “I enjoyed it. It is always fun to go up and try to score a goal.”
UK Sport
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
Business Awards
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
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
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
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
