Roberto Di Matteo has made it clear his side’s push for promotion won’t be interrupted by the Christmas period. After Albion’s game at Blackpool tomorrow (KO 3pm) the Baggies then host Peterborough on Boxing Day before travelling to Scunthorpe on the 28th December in a busy festive period.
The Baggies currently sit second in the Championship and will be in an automatic promotion place for Christmas - regardless of results this weekend. However Di Matteo has insisted his side will not lose their focus over the festive period and will be training on Christmas Day ahead of the Peterborough game.
"It's business as usual," the former MK Dons boss insisted.
"We'll be training and playing and will hopefully pick up some points.
"Italy has a Christmas break.
"We've talked so much in England about having a Christmas break.
"It's part of the tradition to play on Boxing Day so it's difficult to change that.
"I always wonder why the season finishes in early May when the nice weather is coming and the pitches are nice, and people would probably love to go to the stadium in their t-shirts.
"Yet we play in December, January and February when it's raining, snowing and cold.
"I'm sure we could extend the season a couple of weeks.
"Every country has its traditions and its culture and you have to respect that.
"I've been in England 14 years and it's pretty normal for me now.
"As a player I was playing through the Christmas period and as a manager now.
"We are training on Christmas Day.
"It's our job so there are no complaints about it from me.
"We'll get back for Christmas dinner in the afternoon."