ROBERTO Di Matteo was delighted to see his players base their crucial win over Sheffield Wednesday on their first clean sheet in seven games.
A stubborn 22nd-placed Owls side proved difficult to break down but, having netted in every game in 2010, the Baggies boss was confident his men would eventually find the breakthrough.
And, following Robert Koren's 79th-minute goal, he insisted securing the points was down to his side staying tight and using the lessons learnt from conceding six goals in their last three league games.
"Credit to Sheffield Wednesday," said Di Matteo.
"In the first half, they worked very, very hard and made it hard for us to create chances and get near their goal.
"In the second half, we put more pressure on and created a number of chances.
"For me it was important not to concede a goal.
"We've scored in every game in 2010 so by keeping clean sheets we will have a good chance of winning games."
James Morrison shone on his second successive start on his comeback from a long-term heel injury and Ishmael Miller proved a handful as he made it back-to-back substitute appearances.
Giles Barnes also made his long-awaited Baggies debut as an 83rd-minte substitute after overcoming an Achilles problem.
And Di Matteo feels his squad is in good shape for the closing stages of the campaign.
"We're pleased they're all in and around the team and available for selection," he added.
"They've been out for a long, long time so we can't yet expect them to be at their best.
"Our squad looks a bit healthier now than it did three or four weeks ago.
"They're big players for us."
