"We knew about Marco's goalscoring record. He hasn't yet hit his best form for us this season. He's scored a good goal and played some good games but he hasn't really hit it off as yet. He's still chasing his best form a little bit." (source: skysports.com)
However Tchoyi already has more goals than Fortune this season and with such a big game ahead- for both clubs and their fans- the Italian cannot afford to go into it with anything less than an attacking threat up front. This issue has arisen as the news that top scorer Peter Odemwingie is a major doubt after suffering a recurrence of his calf problem, as well as the groin injury which kept him out of the Villa match. The Nigerian has already been hit by injuries this season, missing games against Manchester United, Fulham and Blackpool in October and November and it may come as a worry to the Baggies that he manages to pick up regular niggles which means he is unavailable for important games.
It may come as no surprise that Di Matteo has said himself that he is looking to bring in another striker during the January transfer window. With Chris Wood, Roman Bednar and Luke Moore all out on loan, Simon Cox in the process of being converted to an attacking midfielder, Ishmael Miller not yet 100% fit and Fortune yet to find goal scoring form, the former Chelsea star feels he needs a little extra quality to successfully fill Odemwingie's boots when injured. Cue the transfer rumours: the Baggies being linked frequently to names across Europe such as Pierre Webo of Mallorca and ex-Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, but also domestically Luke Varney is a name that has cropped up in some newspapers. Whoever the player, prudent chairman Jeremy Peace will no doubt pay only the right price, yet sporting director Dan Ashworth has a knack of finding gems from abroad...
Many supporters this week have called for Nicky Shorey to replace Marek Cech at left back for the Wolves clash. As Shorey was ill a few weeks ago, Cech was drafted in and had done well enough in his manager's eyes to retain his place even when Shorey did get well enough to continue playing. However, Cech was considered at fault for Aston Villa's first goal last week and, following a goal line clearance the week before against Newcastle, it would suggest there is an air of inconsistency about the Slovak. Di Matteo this week has spoke of the battle at left back and claimed it can only be good for the team to have such competition:
"I think when we signed Nicky we wanted competition. We'd like competition in every role so that everyone who plays knows there is someone else to take their place. Nicky is obviously disappointed but he's a good professional and he knows he will get another chance at some point. The same happened to Marek after he got injured earlier in the season and lost his place. He had to take his chance when another one came along. I'd like to think I'm fair with everyone." (source: www.wba.co.uk)
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