Di Matteo looks to freshen up squad

31 January 2010 11:56
Di Matteo is looking to wheel and deal over the remaining two days of the January window but has revealed transfer target Moses is poised to sign elsewhere.[LNB]The teenage Crystal Palace forward has been linked with a host of clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.[LNB]Championship promotion rivals Albion, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle were believed to be leading the chase as cash-strapped Palace prepare to part ways with their prized asset.[LNB]But, speaking after West Brom's impressive 3-1 victory over Sheffield United, Di Matteo admitted the England Under-19 starlet is not heading for The Hawthorns.[LNB]"Yes we were interested in him but it looks like he's not coming here," said the Baggies boss.[LNB]"It looks like there's something tied up somewhere else but I don't know where."[LNB]Di Matteo, who knew nothing of rumours linking Robert Koren with a move to Celtic, added: "We're going to try to get a couple of players out and a couple of players in.[LNB]"But we need to get some out first and then we'll look to get some in.[LNB]"I'd like to freshen up a little bit."[LNB]It was a good day for the Italian as he watched his side moved two points behind second-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand.[LNB]After an even opening, the course of the clash changed in the 18th minute when Albion were handed a fortunate penalty for a harsh handball against Nick Montgomery.[LNB]The influential Graham Dorrans slotted home the resulting spot-kick before Roman Bednar added a deserved second as Albion firmly took hold.[LNB]Darius Henderson's 11th league goal of the season handed the Blades immediate hope at the start of the second half - slotting home the second penalty of the game after Youssouf Mulumbu's foul on Stephen Quinn.[LNB]But the lively Jerome Thomas soon put Albion back in the driving seat and on course for a deserved three points.[LNB]Di Matteo added: "I'm very pleased with our performance as that was the most important aspect of the day, we needed to win.[LNB]"Especially in the first half I thought we were terrific."[LNB]But even he was left confused as to the reason why his team had been awarded their spot-kick, adding: "Both penalties looked a little bit soft."[LNB]If Di Matteo was confused then opposite number Kevin Blackwell was more than annoyed.[LNB]"To give away a penalty like that is an absolute joke," he said.[LNB]"I've seen the DVD and can't see where the penalty is, I just cannot see where it is at all.[LNB]"And that then just gave them fresh impetus to come at us again.[LNB]"So the game plan was thrown out of the window."[LNB]Blackwell continued: "The first half was not good enough, it's as simple as that.[LNB]"In the second half we've come out and had a good go at them but shot ourselves in the foot by allowing them to come back."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk