Hawthorns pitch far from perfect

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has admitted problems with the Hawthorns pitch have added an extra challenge to the team's promotion campaign.

The Baggies players on the surface in Tuesday's 1-0 home victory against Sheffield Wednesday and are back in action on the same pitch against Blackpool tomorrow.

Di Matteo admitted the unpredictable bounce will provide his players with an extra problem.

He said: "The weather has had a big impact on it. We also had to train on it during the winter months when everything else was frozen.

"We've got the indoor dome as well but that brings its own issues. The pitch has taken a hit, so we will have to wait until it gets warmer and the grass starts to grow again.

"That's the only thing we can do about it. It does affect the way we play a little bit, because sometimes the ball bobbles up after your first touch and then the ball is suddenly up by your knee.

"It doesn't help us, that's for sure."

Di Matteo's men will take on Blackpool tomorrow just five weeks after their tense 3-2 victory at Bloomfield Road.

The Italian is predicting a similarly close meeting tomorrow.

He said: "For the neutral that was a good game to watch, because there was action and goalscoring opportunities. I like the way they play.

"They try to play football and play the right way. They create a lot of chances and have a lot of attempts on goal. They also give you chances as well and let's hope they're going to play like that when they come on Saturday.

"That way it will be an open game, rather than one team trying to be positive and the other being destructive or defensive. I said earlier in the season they have been the surprise team this year because they have done extremely well, in my opinion.

"It's nice to see the way they play as well."