Source: FOOTYMAD
Boss: Change did the trick
Formation switch pivotal in comeback Roberto Di Matteo played down his tactical masterstroke yesterday insisting his decision to swap a midfielder for a striker was a risk worth taking against Birmingham City. The Baggies boss saw enough of Albion struggling in a 4-4-2 formation and brought on Graham Dorrans for Marc-Antonie Fortune at half time. The change worked wonders for the Baggies after the break as Albion came from a goal behind to record a 3-1 win. "I think we were better in the second half than we were in the first half," said the Italian. "But I didn't think that we weren't good in the first half, to be honest. "We had three or four chances in the first half while they had one and scored from it, which is very clinical from their side. "We needed to defend that set-piece better but apart from that we had more chances. "Overall, we deserved to win the game. "The key was to control the midfield, which is why I changed it at half-time. "It's always a bit of a risk bringing on a midfielder for a striker when you're 1-0 down but that's what I felt I needed to do and it came off. "We managed to control it in the second half, created chances, scored goals and were very much in control of it." The derby day victory against neighbours Blues saw Albion climb up to ninth in the table. While Albion could have earned more points after encouraging displays against Liverpool and Tottenham which only earned a point, Di Matteo is satisfied with Albion’s start but refused to get carried away. "I liked us against Sunderland and the second half against Tottenham was also very good," he continued. "We also had a good game at Liverpool so it's difficult to say if today was our best performance. "From the scoreline, it certainly was. "I think we're en route for what we're trying to do considering the opposition we have played so far. "The next game is Arsenal away so it's not getting any easier. "But no-one can take those points away from us. "What we have, we have - and it moves us up the table."
