Di Matteo steels Albion for ‘marathon’ run-in

West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo urged his team keep their focus after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Plymouth kept the Baggies on course for promotion to the Premier League.

Di Matteo’s second placed side remain one point above closest challengers Nottingham Forest but the former Chelsea star knows escaping the Championship will depend on his team’s endurance over draining final months of the campaign.

“We’re pleased with three successive wins but it just keeps going on and on,” Di Matteo said.

“You can’t really enjoy it and we already have to focus on Tuesday’s game against Scunthorpe. It’s like a marathon.”

Forest boss Billy Davies praised his team after they got their promotion campaign back on track by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the City Ground.

Forest lost their first game in 20 last week against bitter rivals Derby, but two goals from Dexter Blackstock kept them hot on Albion’s heels.

“I was just pleased that we showed the character to win what was a very difficult game against a team who had won four out of their last five matches and were clearly working very hard for a new manager,” Davies said.

“It was a good test for us, having lost our first game in 20 to our nearest and dearest last weekend. It was important for us to dig in and show the mettle we needed to come off the pitch with three points.” Newcastle lead the way after Friday’s 5-1 win over Cardiff gave them 59 points from 28 matches. West Brom have 56 from 29 and Forest 55 from 29.

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock lauded his side’s siege mentality after a late Neil Danns goal gave them a 2-1 win at Scunthorpe.

The Eagles suffered a crippling 10 point penalty after going into administration, but are already climbing the table after in a defiant response to the punishment.

“This business has drawn us all closer together, both players and supporters,” Warnock claimed. “These players just do not know when they are beaten.”

Swansea manager Paulo Sousa tipped his team to continue their push for a play-off place after claiming a 2-0 win against Preston at the Liberty Stadium.

“There was great understanding between the players and this can only go on to give us greater success in the games to come,” Sousa said.

“I am delighted that financial circumstances at the club have meant that we are able to keep our best players.”

Preston manager Darren Ferguson urged his players to respond to their disheartening defeat.

“Confidence is a big thing but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves, and perhaps in the next game we will get a lucky break or two,” he said. Ipswich manager Roy Keane expressed his frustration as his team had to settle for a 1-1 draw after throwing away a first minute lead against Middlesbrough.

“When you look back at all the draws we’ve had we might have been better to lose half and win the other half,” Keane said.

“Somebody must be making money out of us by predicting draws every week and we shouldn’t begrudge them that.”

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway was despondent after a 2-1 defeat against Leicester dented their challenge for a play-off spot.

“We looked a nice pretty team but we lost and the message that’s going round the division is that if you get solid, you keep your shape against Blackpool, you might have a chance of beating them,” he said.

LONDON, Sunday (AFP)