Di Matteo braced for hectic stretch

Roberto Di Matteo will have no time for Christmas cheer if West Brom let their good form slip in the coming weeks.

West Brom travel to Bolton on Sunday and Di Matteo knows that the busy Christmas schedule provides a stern test for his side.

“If you are not in a good position at Christmas then the whole period does not mean much to you,” Di Matteo said.

“And even if you have a good Christmas and are poor after then the period means nothing then either. The importance of this period is just based in how many games there are in a short period of time that stretches the squads.”

The Italian manger is also concerned about the threat Bolton’s in form strikers pose to his defenders.

“They are very effective and they have got Johan Elmander scoring goals and having a goal scorer like that, as we all know, can really affect your season. They have two goal scorers now in Elmander and Kevin Davies,” Di Matteo said.

The former Chelsea player also thinks his opposing manager, Owen Coyle, has made Bolton a more aesthetically pleasing team to watch.

Di Matteo is also not averse to the prospect of playing more games in the English summer time and he thinks fans would approve of attending matches in warmer temperatures.

“Every year at this time we talk about the same issues; frozen pitches, postponed games and the safety of the supporters who come to watch the game,” he said.

“Last season in the Championship our season ended on May 2 and this year we will finish on May 22 so I think there is plenty of room to extend the season into the summer when the weather is nice and people would love to watch a game and the pitches will be in perfect condition.”