Source: Team_Talk
We'll be firm but fair, says Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo has told Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger that West Brom will adopt a physical but fair approach at The Emirates on Saturday.[LNB] Albion head coach Di Matteo has sympathy for Wenger's demands that referees adopt a strong stance in protecting players from reckless challenges.[LNB]But the former Chelsea star also insists that proper tackling is part of the English game.[LNB]Di Matteo said: "My opinion is that football is a contact sport. Part of it is physicality - but it needs to be fair.[LNB]"Referees have to be strong and make sure the game is conducted in a fair manner where no players get injured. They need to protect the players.[LNB]"Sometimes it is just an unfortunate challenge, sometimes it is challenges that can be avoided when a player gets injured.[LNB]"It has got to be fair. No one wants to see players getting injured or breaking legs.[LNB]"I don't know what category we find ourselves in at the moment. We want to be competitive but we are not the bad boys of the Premier League at the moment."[LNB]The Baggies were beaten 6-0 at champions Chelsea on their last visit to the capital on the opening day of the campaign.[LNB]Di Matteo knows his side have to avoid similar mistakes against the Gunners but acknowledges it might still be not enough to stop them if they are at their best.[LNB]He said: "Arsenal are a good team, they play some good football and if you catch them on the wrong day, whatever you do may not be good enough.[LNB]"But we will try to find a strategy which gives us the best chance of getting something out of the game.[LNB]"After what happened at Chelsea, we knew we had to stop making the sort of little mistakes that give the opposition an advantage.[LNB]"If Arsenal outplay us you have to hold your hands up, but we want to be competitive."[LNB]Albion have shown their fighting qualities in recovering from going a goal behind to draw with Tottenham and defeat Birmingham and Manchester City in their last three matches.[LNB]But Di Matteo has mixed feelings about his side's ability to recover from losing situations.[LNB]He said: "You can look at it two ways. I am disappointed by the fact we have conceded and have had to come back in games.[LNB]"But on the positive side, the fact we have come back to win games is encouraging because teams that normally score first in the Premier League rarely lose.[LNB]"It is a habit (giving away the first goal) that we would like to lose."
