Roberto Di Matteo has challenged his players to bounce back in style following their first league defeat of the season at home to Crystal Palace. A below par Albion side failed to equal a club record of nine games without defeat with Di Matteo expecting a reaction from his players at Oakwell tonight (KO 19.45).
Although not expecting to complete a season unbeaten, the Italian believes his side must learn from the defeat and approach every game with the same mindset – regardless of who they are playing.
“You can't take anything for granted, not only in the Championship but anywhere,” the former MK Dons chief insisted.
“But I don't think we did take anything for granted.
"Palace closed all the spaces down and made it very difficult. It was hard, and we didn't manage to create as many chances as we usually do, and maybe missed a bit of creativity.
"After a defeat you always look to see what kind of reaction the team gives and that's what we're looking for.
"The players themselves know that we want to get back to winning ways.
"I don't think anybody thought we were going to go the whole season without a defeat, so it's important that we see a reaction tonight."