Boss only worried about the points

Last updated : 15 April 2008 By Wba-mad Editor

Although local pride is at stake between Albion and Wolves fans for the second time this season, Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has distanced himself from the hype surrounding the fixture and set his sights on three valuable points. Victory would take Albion back to the top of the table and extend the Baggies' run of unbeaten games to four against their hated rivals, however Mowbray is solely concentrating on an away victory.

"We still only get three points if we beat Wolves," the Baggies boss said.

"But I'm still fully aware of the importance of this game to the supporters.

"I've played in and been around enough derby games.

"In the short time I've been here, we've played Wolves in the cup, play-off semi-finals and league.

"The points are what matters most in what is the next game in a series of matches.

"It's an opportunity for us to get three points closer to where we want to go.

"It's also a game in hand that, if we win, will give us breathing space from the teams that have played a game extra.

"We're in second and if we won this game and Hull fail to win at Barnsley tonight, we would be able to lose one match and still find ourselves in the top two as long as we won the other matches.

"It's up to us to take advantage.

"But I'm sure Wolves will be looking at it exactly the same and trying to get three points closer to what they're trying to achieve."

Since joining from Hibs 18-months ago Mowbray has faced Wolves more than any other team during his tenure with tonight's fixture (KO 19.45pm) his seventh Black Country derby.

"All derbies are huge," Mowbray continued.

"To the people indigenous to the area where they are played, they are the most important matches.

"Whether it's a Black Country derby, Tyne-Tees derby, an Old Firm derby, Edinburgh derby or East Anglia derby - they're all massive games.

"I don't think it matters what competition you're playing these games in - they are always big games.

"I think the play-off matches were obviously important in the context of last season.

"But the league games were just as crucial to both sets of supporters.

"We came out all right in the five times we played them last season.

"We had a 0-0 earlier this season in what was a good game of football.

"There will be two decent football teams against each other and we're looking forward to it.

"We've nothing to fear going to Molineux.

"We know they're a good side but we're a good side as well and I think they know that."