Di Matteo considers defensive changes

28 January 2011 08:31
Head coach Roberto Di Matteo may make changes to West Brom's back four to try and improve the worst defensive record in the Barclays Premier League. Albion have conceded 43 goals in 23 league games and looked increasingly vulnerable when defending set pieces in recent matches. Di Matteo has not been helped by a series of injury setbacks to the likes of Jonas Olsson and Steven Reid which have meant him being unable to field a settled defence. But he knows he has to plug the gaps sooner rather than later to halt the Baggies slide towards the relegation zone. Di Matteo said: "We are considering a lot of things. We'll have to change a few things and try and improve in certain areas to address the number of goals we are conceding. In the last eight games we have conceded as many goals as we did in the first 15 league games. In the last few games we've conceded more goals from set pieces and corners. Before that we were very, very solid. "It's something we will have to address again because it does make such a difference if you are solid. But it hasn't helped that we've had to make so many changes at the back in the last few weeks because of injuries."

Source: PA