Peter Odemwingie hits back at critics

Peter Odemwingie has dismissed doubts about his partnership with Shane Long and claimed the West Bromwich Albion pair can trouble any team in the Premier League.

The duo are back in harness for the Baggies after both suffered injury problems earlier in the season.

Goals at Blackburn and Newcastle took Odemwingie to four goals for the season while summer signing Long's tally stands at five.

And Odemwingie believes they will embarrass pundits who doubted their ability to hit it off.

"If you think logically, common sense tells you that two quick strikers cause a lot of problems and two quick-shooting strikers will cause problems for any team," said the Nigeria international.

"Shane is good in the air as well so there is not much more to say.

"Of course we can cause trouble for any team."

Odemwingie's goals at Ewood Park and the SportsDirect Arena helped the Baggies claim back-to-back away wins as they bounced back from a home defeat to Wigan.

The victory took them to 10th in the Premier League ahead of today's home clash with in-form leaders Manchester City.

Odemwingie believes the away-day successes highlighted the fighting spirit in the Albion side, who have recovered from a poor start to Roy Hodgson's first full season in charge.

"Last year we also responded to difficult situations by getting points when necessary and this is proof again that this group has character to get back on their feet whenever they are down," said 30-year-old Odemwingie.