Source: Team_Talk
Koren strike impresses Baggies boss
Koren, a half-time substitute for Jerome Thomas, struck the only goal of the game from 30 yards in the 79th minute to lift Albion over Nottingham Forest and put them two points clear in second place.[LNB]Last month, Koren and Di Matteo were at loggerheads when the Slovenia midfielder reacted furiously to being substituted against Scunthorpe.[LNB]But Di Matteo said: "The goal that Koren scored was a great goal and it probably needed a goal like that to win the game.[LNB]"It took a great effort by Koren and I am very pleased for him.[LNB]"We have talked a number of times and I understand the fact that every player wants to play.[LNB]"He is a good player and an intelligent person as well. But at the end of the day we have 21 players available and it is about the squad. To get over the finishing line we will need everybody.[LNB]"I think we have to put our individual agenda to one side and we have to believe that what we do is best for West Bromwich Albion.[LNB]"At the end of the day if you can be successful then it will be of benefit to everyone."[LNB]Di Matteo was relieved to get past Wednesday and he added: "We created a number of chances in the second half but their goalkeeper made some great saves.[LNB]"Credit to Sheffield Wednesday, in the first half they defended very well.[LNB]"They made it very hard for us to create chances but in the second half we put the pressure on them.[LNB]"We were a little bit nervous in the first half but in the second half we stayed patient and passed the ball better."[LNB]As for Albion's promotion challenge, Di Matteo will not take anything for granted and he said: "The table looks very tight.[LNB]"There are no easy games and it is hard to win games at this stage of the season where everyone is fighting for something."[LNB]Before Koren struck, relegation-threatened Wednesday had looked set to hold out for a point thanks to a heroic second-half display by goalkeeper Lee Grant.[LNB]Koren's strike left them in the drop zone on goal difference but manager Alan Irvine is confident they can survive.[LNB]He said: "I can't criticise the players. They were terrific the way they went about things and if we go about our jobs like that every game between now and the end of the season we will be fine.[LNB]"Things are looking an awful lot better since we lost at Reading. It has been a great response by the lads.[LNB]"We had to bounce back and the lads deserve enormous credit for the way they have come back. That is the right way to go about doing your job.[LNB]"The players are low at the moment as they felt they worked hard enough to get something against Albion.[LNB]"But at the end of the day if we win five more games we will be fine.[LNB]"I keep on saying it doesn't matter what everyone else is doing. Not everyone can get 53, 54 points.[LNB]"So I am not really too concerned about what is happening in the table.[LNB]It would be freakish if everybody does get that number so I am just focusing on us winning enough games."[LNB][LNB]
