Roberto Di Matteo backs West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie despite horror misses

27 December 2010 12:23
Roberto Di Matteo spoke up for Peter Odemwingie after the West Brom striker was the main culprit in a wasteful Baggies performance at Bolton yesterday.[LNB]Wasteful finishing: West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie was the guilty man [LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]And, 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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Baggies boss 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.[LNB]'Apart from the chances, he had a good game. If he scored a goal or two then we would be talking in different terms. He'll be okay. He's a good player and once he gets back into the rhythm he will put those chances away.'[LNB] This is how it's done: Johan Elmander scores Bolton's second goal [LNB]Di Matteo could not hide his frustration, though, at his side's failure to take home any points after making a side that are chasing a top-six spot look second best for most of the game.[LNB]'We're coming away from here again and scratching our heads,' he said. 'We had more clear chances and we lost. It's tough for us. You get punished in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]'You can't have five or six chances and not score one because it changes the momentum of the game if you score a goal.'[LNB]Bolton boss Owen Coyle, meanwhile, was honest enough to admit the scoreline was more than a little flattering, but he took encouragement from the fighting spirit shown by his players.[LNB]The Scot said: 'The important thing was the three points. I don't think we ever got to our maximum in the game. West Brom were terrific, they had some great chances to score but they didn't take them.[LNB]'There were a lot of nice attributes that we'll need as the season goes on. We had to defend with our lives at times, we stood up and it's great to get a clean sheet. It was a different type of performance but it's pleasing to get the three points.'[LNB] WEST BROMWICH v Blackburn: Chris Brunt banned for BaggiesWest Brom and Wigan keeping tabs on Leeds midfielder GradelCarew snubs Birmingham and Fulham for a move from Villa to West BromBolton 2 West Bromwich 0: Taylor and Elmander punish wasteful BaggiesManchester City rule out a cut-price loan for Wright-PhillipsBaggies striker Miller inspired by old Man City pal Onuoha to beat injury bluesWEST BROMWICH ALBION

Source: Daily_Mail