Source: Daily_Mail
Plymouth 0 West Brom 1: Di Matteo delighted to play on the break
Roberto Di Matteo's decision to keep his players away from home last week paid off as West Bromwich Albion kept in touch with Championship leaders Newcastle.[LNB]The Italian based his squad in Lancashire after Wednesday's win at Blackpool and they flew to Devon on Friday to avoid a long coach journey.[LNB]After converting a sweeping move with an eight-yard volley in the 66th minute, striker Simon Cox said being away from home for five days had been the ideal preparation for overcoming a spirited effort from Plymouth, who are fighting for their survival.[LNB] Good form: Simon Cox (left) was praised by West Brom boss Di Matteo[LNB]He said: 'It was tough being away from home for that long becauseeveryone is happier when you are around familiar faces, family andfriends. But it's what we had to do because of all the travelling andit makes the coach journey back all the sweeter.[LNB]'We are full of confidence right now and we're happy to take six points from two tough away games.'[LNB]Jerome Thomas set up Cox's eighth goal of the season with aleft-wing cross that was headed down at the back post by forward RomanBednar.[LNB] But midfielder Thomas ruined an excellent display in the last minutewhen he was sent off for a crude challenge on Plymouth defender DavidMcNamee.[LNB]Thomas also earned an 83rd-minute penalty when he was brought downby McNamee, but team-mate Graham Dorrans saw his spot-kick saved byPlymouth's David Stockdale.[LNB]Plymouth boss Paul Mariner, who will try to re-sign ManchesterUnited full back David Gray on loan this week, was happy with hisside's effort. [LNB]He said: 'At the moment we seem to make one mistake and get hammered for it.'[LNB] All the fizz of the Football League: Time for another Palace play-off pushForest 2 Sheff Wed 1: Upset Davies threatens to take Derby boss Clough to courtIpswich 1 Boro 1: Murphy on the up as striker scores his first in nearly two years[LNB]
