West Brom should not forget the input of ex-boss Roberto Di Matteo says Jerome Thomas

May 1 2011 by Christopher Lepkowski, Sunday Mercury

JEROME Thomas believes Albion players and fans must salute Roberto Di Matteo’s contribution if the club stay in the Premier League this season.

The Baggies winger is looking ahead to next Sunday’s Black Country derby knowing that Albion might be all but safe by the time they kick-off against Mick McCarthy’s men.

The first fixture between the two clubs was Roy Hodgson’s first game in charge at The Hawthorns and while Thomas accepts that the Baggies have improved dramatically under the new bosses’ guidance, he also feels that a great deal of credit must go to his predecessor.

Although the final two months of Di Matteo’s reign underlined Albion’s frailties, the opening three months of this campaign provided them with some great Premier League moments.

The Baggies defeated Arsenal at the Emirates before recording their first win at Everton for 31 years with an emphatic 4-1 victory in November.

Thomas hopes once Albion are safe that the Italian and his staff will also be remembered for their input.