Albion firmly on course for Di Matteo

The Baggies have completed all but the first quarter of the campaign under their new head coach, having lost the lead in the division but still firmly among the front-runners.

After a two-game blip which brought defeat by Crystal Palace and Barnsley gave Di Matteo his most uncomfortable days in the post so far, Albion stopped the slide with a more impressive performance at Preston on Saturday.

The goalless draw was a little short of what their dominance deserved, but the Baggies boss made it clear that he is not going to let his team's worst experience of the campaign – at Barnsley – cloud his assessment.

He said: "I've got to be objective about the season so far. We had a bad 45 minutes at Barnsley. But we've played 11 games and that means there have been a lot of minutes where we've played well.

"We had the chances to win the Preston game but Lady Luck wasn't on our side. We've picked up one point from three games. It's not ideal, but we've had some difficult games and players out injured – that's the result of it.

"Despite the bad week we had, which is a long time in football, we're still okay. The good start we had has maybe given the public a different level of expectation.

"But we know how hard it is to win games in this division – you see it every week."

Albion return to action against Reading at the Hawthorns in a fortnight in second place, three points and three goals behind leaders Newcastle. But injuries continue to interrupt the Italian's search for his best team with Chris Brunt, who has emerged as a key figure, the latest to suffer.

The problem which forced him out of the Preston match after an hour was being examined today.

Striker Luke Moore will also spend the fortnight under treatment, as Di Matteo concentrates on searching for the right blend.

The Albion boss added: "It's not just going to happen overnight. Saturday's formation was down to the players I have available at the moment, but I thought we controlled the midfield very well."