West Brom: There is no magic stick says Di Matteo

Nov 27 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

ROBERTO Di Matteo outlined the beliefs that he feels will be crucial to West Brom's hopes of success.

The Baggies head coach sends his side out to face Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow hoping for Albion's fourth successive win.

Albion have been one of the favourites for Championship since their demotion last season, more so given previous promotions under Gary Megson and, more recently, Tony Mowbray.

Di Matteo is a relative managerial rookie but was part of Chelsea and Lazio sides which enjoyed cup success during the 1990s.

He feels that not getting wrapped up in expectation and hype is paramount to ensuring progress.

Asked about expectation, Di Matteo told the Birmingham Mail: "You should ask the supporters that question.

"It’s natural to make comparisons.

"But it’s part of my job to manage the expectation level.

"I just try to be objective and realistic and evaluate and analyse situations and give facts in the hope people will understand them.

"We talk to the players on a daily basis and we have the group meetings.

"But one thing you need good players.

"You need organisation and structure in the team.

"I think any manager’s fortune rests on his players.

"I’d be foolish to think I or my coaching staff have a magic stick.

"Good players are the foundation of success and then there are many other factors that come into it.

"Humility comes into it as well.

"If the players and management come in in the morning and think 'we don’t need to do this because we won last Saturday and I don’t need to focus or work as hard as last week' then your failure is ahead and waiting.

"This is my general view."