EPL News Review - West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion:
Peter Odemwingie admits that his team needs to be sharper if they are to progress in top flight English football. West Bromwich Albion dodged a third straight defeat when they battled to a 2-2 draw in their last match.
Baggies' manager felt that his team, usually impressive on their return to top flight, could have taken all three points but for a lapse in concentration just before half time. Odemwingie, who recently returned from injury, scored the opener against Hammers
but his effort went in vain as West Ham managed to level things just before the last whistle.
The Baggies talismanic striker said, "We had to slow down the game at the end of the first half but we were playing good football and enjoying it without too much anxiety. In those last minutes, we should have calmed the game down but it was a little mistake
because we did not stay compact, we were too far from each other and that is why we conceded a goal. But in the second half, we have been very strong this year and are showing character which is a good quality we have in the team."
Wigan Athletic:
Tom Cleverley made his first home start in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday night, producing a fine display and proving to be a big threat for the visitor's defence. After the match, Cleverley explained that despite being disappointed with the
opening exchanges, the team's response made them the better side overall.
He said, "We were disappointed in the way we started in the first 10-15 minutes but from then on, there was only team who looked like going on to win the game and the lads were a bit disappointed not to come away with all three points. I don't know why it
is we started slowly but it shows how you can be punished for it. Players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have to be given your full concentration or they'll hurt you, and that's what they did. But as disappointing as that was, the reaction was superb
and looking back at the game we were the better side."
Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Arsenal’s legendary manager Wenger has apologised for the tackle made by his skipper Fabregas which forced Stephen Ward to leave the pitch on a stretcher. The talismanic defender of Mick McCarthy’s side suffered a gashed leg in the ill-timed touchline challenge
by Arsenal captain during the dying times of the match. Arsenal skipper fled with a yellow card and then rubbed salt into their wounds by setting up a second in the dying stages of the match.
Cesc also personally apologised to Stephen Ward for his tackle. Wenger said, "I think it was an accidental tackle. That's what Cesc told me. He touched him (Ward), of course, but he wanted to play the ball. He went to the dressing room and apologised to
the player and it is all right. I have not seen the tackle yet but I have just apologised to (Wolves manager) Mick McCarthy if the player is injured. I didn't know exactly what had happened because the linesman was in my view. Fabregas said to me it was completely
accidental but he still went to see the player to see how badly he was touched. It doesn't mean if you go to see how the player is, that you feel guilty."
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