Olsson ready for the challenge

The Swede has thrown himself headlong into his first taste of Championship football, with the Baggies facing their fourth match in 11 days since the start of the season.

Olsson, who is again likely to be the key man at the heart of defence at Peterborough tonight, insists he is happy for the games to come thick and fast as the Baggies target a flying start.

He said: "I am looking forward to it. I always want to play games and I think if you ask all the players in the squad they would rather play games than train.

"Every time there is a game, that's what you play football for. We all love to play games.

"We enjoyed the Forest win on Saturday night, but now we know we have to be sharp for the next one."

The match will be his first taste of London Road, after he missed last season's FA Cup win with a knee injury.

But Olsson has sent out a clear message to any players uncomfortable with the modest surroundings of Peterborough's home.

He said: "Playing games is what it's all about, whether you do it at Old Trafford or whether you do it at Peterborough.

"The games at Old Trafford and Anfield are what you play for but, we are where we are. And in order to play in those games again we need to make sure that this is a good season."

Olsson has warned Albion that they are a major scalp this season.

But after two matches and four points at the start of his Championship career, the Swede is relishing the physical battles that the new division will present.

He said: "We expect that when we go away this season, we are going to be one of those teams that the others really want to beat.

"It's going to be hard, but if we can play as well as we did against Newcastle and show the desire we did against Forest, we will definitely have a good chance.

"I have said before that football is a contact sport and I like the physical aspect of it.

"Last week it was Shola Ameobi and on Saturday it was Dele Adebola. Playing against those guys makes you grow as a player.

"You know you've got to show up for every second ,because they are excellent players. It makes you focus all the time and makes you better as a player."

Olsson played a vital role in helping his side hold on for a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and he believes they can now build on their success at the City Ground.

He said: "Forest are a decent side and a lot of teams will struggle there. Three points there is a good effort.

"Someone told me that the 1-0 wins are always the nicest ones and that's true, especially if you play 95 minutes, really work as a team and give it all you've got.

"We did that and ended up with three points, so the feeling when the final whistle went was very nice."

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo will replace the injured Gianni Zuiverloon with new loanee Shaun Cummings, while winger Jerome Thomas is available for his debut.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson is expected to name an unchanged side, but winger Chris Whelpdale is available again after injury.

After seeing his side squander chances in their 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Ferguson has ordered his side to become more ruthless.

He said: "We need to be more ruthless in both boxes – it is as simple as that.

"I can't be disappointed with the performances my team have given me so far, but I have to be disappointed with the results.

"It is all about winning football matches which is something we haven't done yet and it was a case of two points being dropped on Saturday.

"West Brom are a perfect example. They played well every week in the Premier League last season, but didn't get the results and got relegated.

"The Championship is not the sort of league where you can play catch-up and we need to be more clinical."