West Brom coach backs Simon Cox to come good

Oct 23 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

SIMON Cox is starting to react to the demands of Championship football, according to West Brom No2 Eddie Newton.

The Baggies striker has struggled to make an impact since his £1.9million move from Swindon.

He has yet to score a League goal and has found first-team opportunities hard to come by, despite the paucity of striking options available to Roberto Di Matteo.

His lack of progress has even drawn a dig from Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton, who claimed the striker should return to the County Ground to rediscover his scoring touch.

Newton brushed aside Fitton's sarcasm, and the Baggies assistant boss believes the 22-year-old is starting to respond to the step up of level.

"There's a lot of affection at the club with what he did over two seasons," said Newton, ahead of tomorrow's trip to Coventry City.

"It's very easy for people to say he can just jump up - the demands of the Championship are very different.

"I've been in League One, I've been in the Championship and I've been in the Premier League - I know what the demands are and Simon is adjustng to that.

"When he first came in he was asking us 'what do you want from me?' and it's showing now in training.

"We're positive with what will come from Simon it's just that sometimes you have to be patient.