ODEMWINGIE IN TOP FORM FOR GUINEA

By NBF News

West Brom players celebrate Odemwingie's goal against Birmingham on Saturday.

Peter Osaze Odemwingie admitted it took Roberto Di Matteo's reading of a riot act at half time to bring the best out of the Baggies in their Saturday's 3-1 derby win over Blues.

Albion went in behind at the break after conceding a soft 15th-minute goal to Cameron Jerome from a set-piece. But it proved to be a game of two halves as Albion stepped up a gear in the second period and put City to the sword with two Odemwingie strikes and a Jonas Olsson header.

“I'm getting a lot of support from my team-mates and fans and that gives me confidence, which I think is translated into performances,” said the Nigeria striker.

“What I've noticed so far from my first four games is that West Brom plays better in the second half.

“I think we try to be careful in the first half, to play safe and then go for goal. But (on Saturday) we conceded a goal and then started to doubt ourselves in the first half. “The coach shouted a lot in the dressing room at half-time and told us to concentrate more and play our game.

“Birmingham had some good quality players in the midfield, but I think the players we put in the middle helped us a little bit. “Certainly, the second half was much better and a quick goal helped us to believe and go forward and get three points. We showed a lot of character.”

Both Odemwingie's finishes touched Blues defender, Scott Dann on the way into the net, but there was no wrestling the goals away from him as the Baggies' striker took his season's tally to three in four games. “We've been laughing about the goals,” he quipped.

“I will claim the first one. I touched it a little and the defender also did, but I'm claiming it and I've told Jerome Thomas he should claim the assist.