Source: PA
Di Matteo defends misfiring Odemwingie
Roberto Di Matteo spoke up for Peter Odemwingie after the West Brom striker was the main culprit in a profligate performance at Bolton.
The visitors were the better side at the Reebok Stadium but failed to take advantage of a number of golden chances and fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat.
Chris Brunt headed against a post while James Morrison and Ishmael Miller also had great chances but none were as culpable as Odemwingie, who has impressed since arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow in the summer.
The striker returned to the side after three weeks out with a calf problem and was aiming to add to his six goals already this season but he rushed his shot when in space in the area in the first half, then pulled another effort wide from 10 yards out in the second half.
Worst of all, he played a woeful pass to the onrushing Graham Dorrans after beating the Bolton offside trap when a better ball would surely have led to the first goal of the match. Shortly after that missed opportunity, Bolton took the lead through Matt Taylor's first goal of the season and the hosts made the points safe four minutes from time through Johan Elmander.
Di Matteo said of Odemwingie: "Peter had two fantastic chances and it's quite unusual for him (to miss them). He's quite composed in front of goal and he usually scores. But that will come. Apart from the chances, he had a good game."
