Di Matteos take on Koren and Koumas …
Speaking to Sky Sports today Roberto Di Matteo stated that a line had been drawn under the Robert Koren hand shaking episode and that it was unfortunate that the agent chose to get involved.
When asked about the point made by the agent that Koren had been played out of position for 80% of the season he said:
“Perhaps the agent should become the manager here as he obviously knows more than most managers” with a wry smile on his face.
He was then asked by the Sky News reporter if Jason Koumas was on his way to the club. With a child like expression on his face, the sort that reveals he is not quite telling the truth he said:
“He is a good player”
This seems to be a sure fire pointer that Jason Koumas will surely be strutting his stuff back at the Hawthorns very soon.
Categories: Latest News, Transfer News Tags: albion, baggies, di matteo, hawthorns, jason koumas, robert koren, sky news, sky sports, wbafc, west brom
Eager Nouble may start tonight against the Iron
Frank Nouble has today spoken about his hope for the future and how he thinks he could help out tonight. Although a striker he has confirmed himself as a potential replacement for the suspended Jerome Thomas against Scunthorpe.
He said: “I just want to play in an attacking role, be it left wing, right wing or up front, I am here to gain some experience and help the team.”
The 18-year-old finalised his initial 28 day loan from West Ham earlier today and in time to face Scunthorpe at the Hawthorns tonight.
Continuing, Nouble said:
“I am very excited. I watch some of the games on TV and some of the teams like West Brom are big teams, so I want to see how I do at this level.
“I made my debut at 17 recently. I have just turned 18 and I want to get as much experience as I can in any league, be it the Championship or Premier League.”
The youngster’s arrival from Upton Park gives Roberto Di Matteo extra options in the quest for a replacement for Thomas, who begins his four match ban tonight.
Nouble agreed that Di Matteo’s friendship with West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola played a big part in securing the move.
He said: “Gianfranco Zola and the manager here are close friends, so it was easy for them to talk about me. I think Roberto Di Matteo definitely listened to what he said and I think he is happy I have come here.
“The manager here has Chelsea links and was a terrific player when at Chelsea with Gianfranco Zola.”
Albion first team coach Michael Appleton has also spoken about Nouble: “Frank is really strong and aggressive and he will give us an outlet sometimes when we need that, especially when teams are trying to frustrate us.
“He is versatile and can play in different positions, which is good for us. There may be times when we want to use him in the centre but he has played a lot of football lately in wider areas so I think we’ll look to use him in both areas of the pitch as and when we need to.”
So, with Thomas out and Nouble fresh whilst other players are suffering from the rigours of 4 games in 10 days, added to the fact that he cannot play Saturday at Reading due to being cup tied, it is very likely that he will start tonight.
Albion really do need to make changes quite often at the moment anyway, as by next Tuesday at 10 pm they will have played 5 games in 13 days, a ridiculous amount in such a short period.
Categories: Team News Tags: albion, baggies, gianfranco zola, hawthorns, jerome thomas, michael appleton, roberto di matteo, scunthorpe, upton park, wba, WBA FC, wbafc, west brom, west bromwich albion, west ham, youngster
Plymouth West Brom preview – All Change?
Hot Striker Roman Bednar who has scored 5 goals in 5 games made his debut at Plymouth some 2 years ago scoring 2 goals. In his own words, he has stated that players seem to score goals against the same teams, quoting the 3 he scored against Sheffield as an indicator of this. He looks like the very first name on the team sheet.
Presently there are a few names that may not make it due to knocks picked up in the midweek trip to Blackpool. Ishmael Miller picked up a knock to his ankle whilst winning the penalty that gave Albion all three points and Marek Cech limped of at full time with a sore hamstring.
Other than these two, Di Matteo is able to choose an unchanged team for the sixth game on the trot. With Miller only on the bench in recent games due to lack of match practice and of course Bednar’s form Albion are likely to continue with the lately favoured 1 up front formation. This will be the fourth game Di Matteo picks an unchanged side if he does so, however, with the Cech injury and the amount of games in such a short period this is unlikely.
There will most likely be 4 or 5 changes just to make sure that players are not worn out, 3 games in 7 days is far too much for any player.
Speaking on the club website http://www.wba.co.uk Roberto Di Matteo had this to say on the subject:
“We’ve had a settled team down to the fact we haven’t picked up any injuries and have been playing well, creating chances and winning games,” said Di Matteo.
“But I will definitely make some changes for the Plymouth game because we will need some fresh legs.
“We have on the bench players who have played or started a lot of games this season.
“I give everyone a chance and the ones who come in and do well stay in the team.
“We’ve had many conversations about the fact we work as a squad.
“We try to do our best as a squad and, only with everyone on board can we achieve anything.
“It’s not a question of explaining to players why they are left out.
“They all know and you could see the other night towards the end of the game we were a bit under pressure and couldn’t quite raise our energy levels.
“It’s just human.
“We’ve got three games in six days and it’s impossible to be playing at the top every time.”
“We’ll have to scan Ish’s ankle to get a better idea of what the problem is,” Di Matteo added.
“At the time we didn’t think it was that bad so, without any more subs to use, we left him on the pitch.
“But you can obviously see he was struggling.
“Every time he goes down you worry.
“We want him to get back and he’s been working hard.
“He’s an important player for us and we don’t want to lose him to injury.”
So the changes are due to be ringed, will Slory make his full debut? Who will get to start is still up in the air and unlikely to be finalised before 2pm Saturday afternoon.
Plymouth are 2nd bottom, however, seemingly reinvigorated and Paul Mariners men are now up for the fight for survival.
Categories: Match Previews Tags: albion, argyle, ishmael, marek, plymouth, roberto di matteo, Roman Bednar, wbafc, west brom
Kids for a quid for Scunthorpe’s visit to the Hawthorns
When Scunthorpe make the trip down to the Hawthorns next week on the 9th of February Albion fans will be able to watch the game at a reduced price.
WBA FC have reduced ticket prices for all and are offering the famous “Kids for a quid” yet again.
In all parts of the ground other than the West stand, tickets will be just £15 for adults, £10 for seniors, students and under eighteens, with kids under sixteen getting in for a quid.
The West stand will be the usual £28 and tickets are now on general sale.
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Categories: Ticket News Tags: albion, baggies, birmingham road, kids for a quid, scunthorpe, ticket prices, wbafc
Di Matteo explains last night substitutions at Blackpool
Because of the fact that the Albion have to play 3 games in 7 days Roberto Di Matteo made the substitutions that he did last night. The latter stages of a game where a player becomes tired are prone for picking up injuries.
Bednar, Thomas and Brunt all made it in for an early bath with at least 15 minutes to go and were replaced by Miller, Zuiverloon and new boy Slory. This turned out worse than expected when Miller picked up an injury as well as a penalty and hurt his ankle. Marek Cech also finished the game with a hamstring worry.
Speaking to the official club site Roberto Di Matteo explained last nights substitutions at Bloomfield road with the following comments:
“You think about the fact we’ve got three games in six days and fortunately I have players on the bench who can make an impact on the game,” said Di Matteo.
“I’m trying to make decisions in the interests of the team and trying to win.
“That’s why I took those players off and put the others on.”
The Albion chief added: “We’ll have to assess Ish and Marek.
“Ish got a knock on his ankle when he went over for the penalty.
“He was limping badly and I hope it’s not serious.
“Thankfully, it’s nothing to do with the knee injury which kept him out for so long.”
Slory almost made it a dream debut when he went close with a 63rd-minute shot that would have put the visitors 3-1 up and made it a more comfortable night.
“Andy had a very good chance and it just went a little bit wide,” said Di Matteo.
“We know he still needs to work hard to improve his conditioning.
“It’s a shame he missed because it could have been a nice debut for him.”
Categories: Latest News Tags: albion, bloomfield road, brunt, cech, roberto di matteo, wbafc
FA CUP draw sees Albion versus Reading Away
The draw has been made and we are playing Reading away in the fifth round of the fa cup played weekend of 14th Feb
Barnett move to be made permanent?
The Express and Star are today reporting the Albion Defender Leon Barnett is likely to make his loan move to Coventry City permanent.
They report today that “Championship club Coventry are scrabbling around in a bid to raise the funds to sign on-loan Albion defender Leon Barnett permanently”.
Leon Barnett joined the Baggies from Luton for an initial £2.5million fee in July 2007.
At 6ft 2in, he is not the biggest centre-half at the Hawthorns, however, he signed a four-year contract, plus a year’s option in the club’s favour in 2007.
After helping the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League in 2008 his price raised by a further £250,000 and a further clause could see a further £250,000 being owed for him depending on appearances. A good reason to let him go sooner rather than later maybe?
After slipping down the Hawthorns pecking order he joined Coventry City on loan until January on November 4, 2009.
Categories: Transfer News Tags: albion, baggies, barnett, ccfc, coventry city, hawthorns, leon barnett, luton, wbafc
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