Team Changes & Ref Praise

Roy Hodgson was pleased to see a revised line up take a point on the road yesterday, and he also praised Michael Oliver for showing some common sense.

Speaking to wba.co.uk Hodgson said he was pleased with the effort of the team given the number of changes he made for the game.

Peter Odemwingie was injured, Jonas Olsson was suspended and he decided to rest Marc-Antoine Fortune, Keith Andrews and Gabriel Tamas whilst recalling Paul Scharner, Shane Long, Nickey Shorey and Billy Jones.

'Marco was tired and Shane's been going well, I'm in a situation where our backs aren't against the wall. With 36 points and a good goal difference, I think we're relatively safe. I thought it was time today to give others a go, see what they can do, hopefully come away with a result - like we have done - and give me the feeling we've got enough players to enable me to change the team around.'

Moving onto the second half talking point, the reaction of Youssouf Mulumbu in what really was a red card offence, Hodgson added about the referee michael Oliver.

'Thomas got involved in it no more than Boyce but it was a minor thing really. I suppose Youssouf did push their player, but I didn't think there was anything particularly vicious about it. I think it wouldve been sad if anyone had been sent off. I was pleased the referee showed commonsense.'

Personally I think we dodged a bullet.

Vital West Brom on:

Vital West Brom on:

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