User tools SmallNormal Text SizeLargePrintBookmark the SiteEmail this Page

Di Matteo issues rallying call to fans

Posted on: Fri 19 Mar 2010

ROBERTO Di Matteo has called on the Albion fans to rally behind the team as they look to convert a promising position into automatic promotion.

The second-placed Baggies are now eight points clear of nearest rivals Nottingham Forest, with nine games remaining.

And, with back-to-back home games to follow against Preston on Saturday (ko 3pm) and Coventry on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm), he is calling on the supporters to create a cauldron of noise at The Hawthorns.

"Nothing has changed for us from last week," said Di Matteo.

Advertisement

"We're still chasing our target.

"We haven't achieved anything yet.

"We need to make sure we take advantage of our remaining home games.

"We've been under pressure all season and I would just like our supporters to get behind the team and support us whatever happens.

"We're going to have difficult games and periods of games where we'll be under pressure.

"We will need their support and for them to be positive and influence the team and players in a positive way."

The Baggies boss has spoken to his players about letting previous advantageous positions slip during the course of this season.

But he insists he will be not be asking them to do anything different during the run-in.

In terms of the gap to their rivals, only once in the Baggies' three automatic promotions to the Barclays Premier League were they slightly better off at the same stage of the season.

And none of those three Albion teams had amassed as many points after 37 games as the current crop on 72.

Gary Megson's class of 2003/04 finished as runners-up after being second on 70 points and 11 points clear of third-placed Sheffield United, who had a game in hand.

In 2001/02 Albion, then on 66 points, pulled off the seemingly impossible when they came from third place to overturn a ten-point gap to Wolves and pip them to automatic promotion.

And Tony Mowbray's 2007/08 champions were five points behind Stoke and Bristol City, with two games in hand in fourth place on 62 points.

"We have talked about being in previous good positions and addressed it," Di Matteo added.

"There's a lot of work behind that.

"I would just like for my team and all my players to be available.

"We always seem to get a number of injuries whenever we get in a good position - that obviously affects us.

"But it's better to be defending a lead than chasing.

"We just have to keep doing what we're doing.

"Every game we've approached we've tried to win and nothing's really changed."

Club shop sale

 Latest Articles
Read 12.02.2012 Striker targetting top-ten finish after first Premier League hat-trick
Read 12.02.2012 And Baggies boss says Marco deserves change of 'Fortune'
Read 12.02.2012 And boss reveals how half-time team-talk was 'crucial' to second-half romp
Read 12.02.2012 Hodgson makes two changes to his side
Read 12.02.2012 Don't miss a kick of the Black Country derby with Albion Player
Read 12.02.2012 Log on for live text feed and interact by posting YOUR comments
Read 11.02.2012 Find out if you've won a copy of 'Orange Crush 2' DVD in our latest online competition
Read 11.02.2012 But head coach relishing chance to unleash fit-again striker
Read 11.02.2012 And boss determined not to make Wolves' job any easier
Read 10.02.2012 Key members of 'March to Molineux' visit club's training ground to promote event in aid of Acorns
 News Archive
Display Stories From Week

West Bromwich Albion business finder is powered by city-visitor.com

All materials on this website © West Bromwich Albion Football Club & FL Interactive Ltd.

Photographs courtesy of Empics ©

Part of the
Football League Interactive network




CEOP - Report Abuse

Part of the Club Player network

Company Details


All rights reserved save as per website Terms of UsePrivacy Statement.

For all advertising and sponsorship enquiries, please click here