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Robbie planning Plymouth changes

Posted on: Sat 06 Feb 2010

ROBERTO Di Matteo has revealed he will make changes to his team for tomorrow's trip to struggling Plymouth (ko 3pm).

The Hawthorns boss has named an unchanged side for the last five games, in which the Baggies were unbeaten.

But he insists he will have to guard against fatigue as the Home Park encounter is the second of three games in just six days in the thick of a hectic fixture schedule.

"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.

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"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."

Injuries to Ishmael Miller (ankle) and Marek Cech (hamstring) in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Blackpool may also mean enforced changes for the Albion chief.

Joe Mattock missed the Bloomfield Road encounter due to illness but the left-back is likely to play a part against the Pilgrims after recovering.

"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."

Argyle lie second from bottom in the Coca-Cola Championship, five points off safety, and have lost seven of their 13 league games on home turf this season.

But Di Matteo is taking nothing for granted against Paul Mariner's side, who have not played since their 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The Albion chief said: "They are always dangerous because they are fighting to stay in the league against relegation and the fact they have not had a midweek game means they'll be flying."

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