Mowbray denies Bednar rift
22 Oct 2008 - 07:37:14
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray has dismissed talk of a rift between himself and striker Roman Bednar.
The 25-year-old Czech Republic forward was less than impressed with being substituted early in the second half of the 4-0 loss at Manchester United, but Mowbray has played down the player's reaction.
He told the Birmingham Mail: "I don't envisage speaking to Roman. I have no problem with his disappointment in coming off, as long as he's not disrespectful to those who replace him or his team-mates.
"It's something that's not even registering with me, to be honest.
"These decisions are made for benefit of team, but this weekend's game is a new game and completely different. It's up to him to do well in training and force himself into the side.
"Roman worked extremely hard for very little reward because we were playing a top quality side. Whoever played, it was always going to be a tough game for our strikers.
"He worked hard enough and the bottom line is that Roman is not Rooney or Berbatov. But as the season goes on he will score enough goals to keep him happy and keep me happy."