And hotshot admits it will be very different test from Swans encounter
PETER Odemwingie is hoping Albion’s impressive home form this season can help them finally end their Hawthorns hoodoo against Stoke tomorrow (Saturday).The Baggies have lost all three Barclays Premier League meetings with the Potters on home turf - failing to score in any of them.
And they have not beaten them on their own patch since Scott Dobie’s goal secured a 1-0 Championship victory in September 2003.
But only champions Manchester City, who are the sole team to take points away from The Hawthorns in seven games this term, currently have a better home record than fourth-placed Steve Clarke’s side.
And Odemwingie is eager to get back on track after Wednesday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Swansea.
“We knew a defeat was coming one day because you can’t keep winning every game in the Premier League,” said the Nigeria striker.
“Hopefully this is just a game that will slow us down a little bit; Saturday is in our minds now and we’re already thinking about recovery and to win our home game.
“It’s difficult to keep that same form and performances going all the time.
“We’re human beings.
“I think it was just a bad start to the game and it was difficult after to readjust.
“It was a bad day, and they do happen.
“The response in the second-half is the positive sign for us.
“That was an away game and it is important to keep the home form we’ve had so far – Saturday is very important for us.
“We’re still in the top four and that is a plus for us.
“The next game is at home and we need to get more points.”
Odemwingie is also prepared for a different type of test from the Liberty Stadium encounter, with Tony Pulis’ in-form ninth-placed troops arriving in the Black Country on the back of a four-game unbeaten run.
“It’s a totally different type of football we’ll face on Saturday,” the 31-year-old hotshot added.
“It will be more physical, more long ball – but we have to play our own game that we’ve been successful with so far.
“The top teams try to combine both and you can see a few clubs are the total opposite to some.
“This week we face two teams with different styles and we just need to readjust - but make sure we stick to our best qualities.
“I think Stoke have improved during my time in England.
“They have reached an FA Cup Final and played in the Europa League.
“They are a difficult side to play against for every Premier League team.”