West Bromwich(WBA) vs Wolves Preview - Hodgson gearing up for new challenge

Posted Sunday, February 20, 2011 by PA

New West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has warned he does not have any "magic words" to offer the team ahead of Sunday`s crucial derby against Wolves.

Instead, new boss Hodgson is hoping that "persistent training" will provide the key to success as West Brom look to turn around their form.

The former Fulham and Liverpool manager was keen to stress that he cannot erase memories of recent results, even though he hopes his coaching techniques can stimulate the players.

Hodgson said: "You live through bad football results, and hopefully you try to put them behind you and you try to analyse why it was a bad result. Then you try to work hard to make certain that you're better prepared next time to get good results.

"I think that the best way to work psychologically with players is to make sure your training sessions challenge them and that you give them plenty to think about.

"That there's a few magic words that someone can come in and say to a team and their problems are dispelled, and all the sadness of recent weeks suddenly disappears, for me is a complete myth."

The Baggies will be without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu who has a minor hamstring strain, picked up during last Saturday's match against West Ham.

Full-back Ronald Zubar is Wolves' only fresh injury doubt. He suffered a swollen ankle during Wolves' 2-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend - a result which pushed them to the bottom of the table.

If Zubar is ruled out, then Kevin Foley is the obvious candidate to replace him.

Stephen Hunt is unlikely to have recovered from the calf injury which saw him miss the defeat against the Gunners, but fellow midfielder Dave Edwards could be back in contention after recovering from a groin problem.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insists Barclays Premier League survival is more crucial than obtaining local bragging rights on Sunday.

McCarthy is not downplaying the importance of the derby, having played in them for various sides in England, Scotland, Ireland and France.

He said: "The pragmatic approach is that you get three points if you win, the same as if you beat, for example, Fulham.

"I think the important thing is to stay in the league.

"But I also understand the bragging rights, the local feuding between both teams, and accept it.

"As a player I used to accept it whether it was Barnsley-Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic-Rangers, Manchester City-Manchester United, Millwall-West Ham, Lyon-St. Etienne, Northern Ireland-Republic Of Ireland.

"I've played and managed in a few and I love them. There is a bit more spice involved.

"I just try and embrace every game as a huge game in the Premier League.

"The reality is, we both want to beat each us, we are local rivals, it is a huge derby.

"Getting something on Sunday will go a long way towards helping us to stay in the league."

Wolves are facing a crucial period with a home match against Blackpool next weekend following on from the derby encounter.

He said: "Is it a pivotal week? I would say so, of course, with the games we have got coming.

"West Brom and Blackpool are huge games for us. There is no denying that.

"Whatever number of points it is that keeps you up, we've got to find that number from somewhere. We've got 12 games."

Wolves were beaten at Arsenal last weekend to drop into 20th spot but McCarthy believes that result should be put into perspective given the Gunners performance against Barcelona in mid-week.

He said: "We are in particularly good shape. Last game we were beaten by a very good Arsenal team who slapped Barcelona in the week.

"I don't take too much from that. I prefer to take the game before that against Manchester United when we played very well.

"We are bottom of the league but physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, we are in great shape. We are fine."

McCarthy is unsurprised West Brom have turned to Hodgson as the successor to Roberto Di Matteo.

McCarthy said: "It was a surprise when Roberto went but it is no surprise Albion gave the job to Roy Hodgson because he is a top manager.

"He is better than a safe pair of hands but at this moment in time, this is what they need, and he did it with Fulham.

"He kept them in the league so I'm not surprised they've turned to Roy now.

"Having had one week to work with them, I'm not so sure he could stamp his style on them yet.

"Would it be too much to ask him to flip everything on its head in one week and do something completely different? That is up to Roy, that is his dilemma, not mine."