Albion Blog - Pegs and Holes

Just 17 days to go before the transfer window closes and I am sure there will be some more comings and goings but, as we take a look at our new manager's summer captures, it throws us a huge hint as to where he sees our past weaknesses and how we can expect our style of play to be under his control.

Simon Cox, Reuben Reid, Jerome Thomas, Joe Mattock, and Youssouf Mulumbu are all in and, if we attempt to read in between the lines and take into account his early team structure he was putting into place at Milton Keynes Dons before leaving to join us, we may just be able to point a finger at our future structure.

He has openly stated his thoughts on our squad's lack of pace and none of our new signings lack speed, especially Jerome Thomas and Rueben Reid.

Di Matteo has also stated his desire to have specialist wingers at the club, to supplement the two we had in Chris Brunt and James Morrison.

It highlights an issue we had under Tony Mowbray all last season. Zoltan Gera left us for pastures new and, when Morrison was injured, we lacked a natural right winger and persevered with Robert Koren - much to the detriment of his own performances.

And it may be basic, but it is obvious Di Matteo likes square pegs in square holes, as he likes his attacking players to have plenty of pace.

Early signs also indicate he likes his strike partnerships to have a good blend of strength, pace, skill and aerial ability, rather than just picking his two best strikers.

Our opening game proved the point, when he decided to go with the less experienced Chris Wood rather than Simon Cox or Craig Beattie.

He stated after the game his reasons included Wood's physicality. That will be music to the ears of many Albion fans, who berated Mowbray for creating a team that for all its football silkiness had a soft underbelly.

It brings me nicely onto the good news this week that Roman Bednar has had his situation resolved by the FA.

A number of fans have indicated their desire for him to be sacked by the club but I disagree. He has admitted his mistake, been punished, now lets move on. I know I am no angel and as the good book says, 'he without sin cast the first stone.'

Onto tomorrow's game at Nottingham Forest, a team which is quickly improving under Billy Davies and beginning to look like his sides of the past. By that, I mean not conceding many goals.

It should be a tight affair and I hope our boys can quickly shake off last season's burden of not being able to win away from home.

The quicker we get that monkey off our backs the better and a good start can never be a bad thing, but - as ever - my pessimism is lurking in the shadows.

For some reason, I fear the worst for the game. I am hoping our new boys gel together quickly and we can start putting a good run of results on the board. Strangely enough for a team who in recent seasons have scored plenty of goals, my main fear is a lack of them.

Luke Moore has shown glimpses that he can put his previous problems behind him and Simon Cox - albeit at a lower level - scored goals for fun last season, but for some reason I still have reservations.

Wood at the tender age of just 17 is still learning his trade and Craig Beattie doesn't fill me with confidence. But our midfield will create chances and will score a fair few goals themselves, so I hope my fears are unfounded.

Roberto has a few difficult decisions to make regarding tomorrow's team. Graham Dorrans was outstanding against Bury in midweek and must be pushing for his inclusion against Forest. He must also decide who plays at left back, as Joe Mattock had a steady rather than spectacular debut in the same game.

Interestingly, we must also wait and see not only who our new manager picks, but also what formation he chooses for away games. The options are plentiful, so I am enjoying sitting back and watching the Di Matteo team come together.

Something tells me our squad hasn't finished reshaping before the transfer window closes.

On a different subject, I am sure you have all seen the Express and Star Fantasy Football League competition.

I have set up a private league for us bloggers and everyone's welcome. I am sure it will provide some banter across the course of the season so why not have a go, it's free.

The team name is The Bloggers League and the pin number to join is ':2816.'

Good Luck and up the Baggies!