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HODGSON KEEN TO BANISH DISCOMFORT

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is prepared for "anxiety" at The Hawthorns against Swansea.

Last Updated: 03/02/12 at 18:12 Post Comment   

Roy Hodgson: Eyeing a lift

Roy Hodgson: Eyeing a lift

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is prepared for "anxiety" at The Hawthorns as his team look to improve on their poor home record against Swansea on Saturday.

The Baggies have picked up just eight points from a possible 33 on their own pitch, but former Fulham manager Hodgson is trusting his players will not have that run on their minds.

"I hope not," he said.

"There will be anxiety. The crowd, when they come to watch you play at home, they come to watch you win and if you don't win you disappoint them.

"We're all aware of that, so there will be some anxiety and you can do nothing about it.

"The only way you can put it right is to win games because otherwise it becomes a bigger problem every time you step out on to your home pitch."

Hodgson hopes his team show in the Barclays Premier League clash that they have the stomach to deal with any pressure caused by playing in front of an expectant crowd.

He said: "I think there's enough quality in the team, enough experience in the team, enough spirit in the team to overcome these things.

"It would be nice to start that (on Saturday) but if we can't then it will have to be the next game."Hodgson also believes there has been a fine line between success and failure for his team, and he suggests the poor home record can be attributed to carelessness.

He said: "We haven't necessarily shown much worse form at home than we have done away, there haven't been vast differences in the type of performances we've been giving.

"Often, the poor result has been because we've made some very, very bad mistake at some stage in the game, which has cost us.

"All of those home defeats are by the odd goal, so we need to put that right."

Hodgson brought in Keith Andrews from Blackburn and Liam Ridgewell from Birmingham on transfer deadline day.

Andrews was surprised when he was told about his new team's record this term.

The Republic of Ireland international said: "They've nearly got double the points away than they have at home, which is quite phenomenal.

"I'm not sure why that is, and I bet the manager isn't either.

"But tomorrow, starting at home to Swansea, we're going all guns blazing to get that win which will take us comfortably into mid-table."

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T

here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

gunner14
Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

I

remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

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Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

E

den Hazard, def. - 1) that girl in a club who makes eyes at you all night, who allows you to buy her a drink and walk her home arm in arm, who then gives you a suggestive kiss on her doorstep before declaring how tired she is and how she has to be up early the next day. 2) A cock tease.

cramp
Hazard 'terms agreed' with trio

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