Survival on West Brom´s mind

West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo has issued a rallying call as his side bids to keep out of the English Premier League relegation zone.

The Italian manager watched his men miss a penalty on the way to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, with a trip to fellow strugglers Fulham to come on Tuesday.

“We are all in the same position trying to fight for points,” Di Matteo said. “It’s very narrow, balanced and we need points.”

The loss to United was West Brom’s fourth consecutive defeat, but the former Chelsea midfielder is taking comfort from the positive displays his side are producing – albeit for no return

“We’ve been producing performances and not been rewarded,” he said. “It’s points we need.”

“We want to change things around and stop this losing streak.”

“A positive result gives you that little bit of confidence where we can start building again.”

Confidence could be a problem for striker Peter Odemwingie after his scuffed penalty miss against United with the game poised at 1-1, but his manager has been quick to put an arm around his charge.

“He was obviously low on Saturday,” he said.

“As a management team we have a responsibility to pick him and the others up.”

“We have to roll our sleeves up and keep going.”

Many managers find fault with the January transfer window but Di Matteo is hopeful of recruiting Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan, although Sampdoria in the Italian’s homeland has also been mooted as a suitor.

“Macheda is someone we looked at right at the start of last season. He’s a striker, we are after a striker and we have to look at whether Manchester United will let him join us,” he said.

Tuesday’s game will be all the more difficult thanks to several injuries in the West Brom camp.

Pablo Ibanez, Steven Reid and Jonas Olsson are all currently sidelined, while Gabriel Tamas is suspended for the trip to Craven Cottage.