Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result. Vince Lombardi

You may hear something similar coming from a Roberto Di Matteo press conference one day soon.

The Baggies boss was back behind his managerial desk on Tuesday preparing for this Saturday's game against Bristol City.

Sky Sports on continuous loop in one corner, a whiteboard of first-team names behind him, Eddie Newton tapping away on his laptop at the other end of the office.

On Di Matteo's desk lay the autobiography of Vince Lombardi.

The legendary US football coach - winner of five league titles during a nine year spell with Green Bay Packers - was one of the names bandied around when Tony Mowbray pitched up at B71 with his bag of humility. Mowbray swore by his genius.

Perhaps Mowbray forgot to pack his book when he left for Glasgow but Di Matteo is also trying to relate to the inspirational figure.

The autobiographies of England's rugby World Cup winning coach Clive Woodward and entrepreneur Richard Branson are also among those on the Italian's bookshelf.

Di Matteo said: "You try to learn every day.

"I've read Clive Woodward's book, which was very good.

"Richard Branson's autobiography, which I also thought was very good.

"You try to look at people who have been successful in their lives and see if there is something else you can do. You want to get better."

Speaking of inspiration, last Thursday's live Albion webchat (Thanks again to those who popped along) prompted a message from a supporter called chinawhite.

The idea is for Albion to honour soldiers with free tickets for a given game - or, as chinawhite called it, 'tickets for the troops'.

There was an added suggestion that the Baggies players visit Selly Oak hospital where so many brave servicemen lie injured.

Whether a hospital visit is feasible or practical may not be for Albion to decide, but the 'tickets for troops' idea is one which would certainly get a lot of support from all football fans, myself included.

I put it to Albion on Monday morning and have been told that the idea will be discussed. Let's wait and see what they come up with...

*One last thing, Abdoulaye Meite and Saloman Kalou exchanging blows while on duty with Ivory Coast. Personally I never knew Abou had it in him.

Striving to win promotion may not necessarily be Roberto Di Matteo's biggest ask this season - trying to keep his senior players happy will also test his managerial credentials.

Marek Cech has become the latest player to come out and, pretty much, demand a first-team spot.

His outburst is all the more surprising. It was myself who, along with a colleague from another newspaper, conducted a standard post-match interview, after Saturday's win against Leicester.

The question I asked related to something completely different.

It didn't refer to his own state of mind, nor his future - indeed I assumed he was far happier with his situation than he ever was under Tony Mowbray.

During the course of answering the question, Cech volunteered that he would be considering his future if he didn't win back his first-team place.

Just to put it into perspective, he's been on the bench for the last three games and used twice. He's appeared in 12 of Albion's 16 League games, either as sub or a starter.

Cech is a bright, courteous and polite bloke, as is Robert Koren, who expressed his desire to leave during an interview with Slovenian journalists a fortnight ago.

Koren hasn't been happy for some time. He was disappointed that Tony Mowbray opted for Borja Valero and Jonathan Greening as his central midfield partnership last season when he felt that he deserved an extended run in that role.

And this year the form of Youssouf Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans and, more recently, Gonzalo Jara, have made it nigh on impossible for Roberto Di Matteo to accomodate the Slovenian in his favoured position.

Two managers have been unwilling to risk him in the centre.

But both he and Cech need to consider the team's situation, not just their own.

Albion are in second spot. They have just scored seven times in two games and only Cardiff have scored more Championship goals.

Koren can, of course, play on the flanks - but so can Cech, Chris Brunt and Jerome Thomas.

On the subject of Cech, he's unlucky to find Thomas in decent form and Brunt back in action, a player who brings so much to Albion's attacking play, more so than Cech I'd argue.

Cech has perhaps more scope for complaint with the left-back situation.

He was kept out of the side last season because Paul Robinson was such a dominant personality in Albion's dressing room that Mowbray felt unable to leave him out of the side, regardless of his form.

Joe Mattock has taken time settling in so you could have made an argument for Cech's inclusion at some point this season. But then Cech has never really excelled at left-back, apart from just once perhaps. Mattock, meanwhile, has shown signs of progress more recently. He's 19-years-old and will improve.

Cech's determination to represent Slovakia at their first major tournament is understandable. But the World Cup is still seven months away.

It also suggests a lack of faith in himself. Surely if he's good enough to play every week then he will do so - I certainly don't recall Cech performing outstandingly during Albion's 1-0 defeat to Swansea, his last start for the club. He was substituted at half-time, which suggests that Di Matteo wasn't too sure either.

Di Matteo has enough to deal with. He's adjusting to a new club and the expectation that comes with that.

He could do with all of his players lending their support, not least his senior ones. As Cech rightly pointed out - it's a long season, so both he and Koren will be used at some stage this season. And as Emile Heskey is finding, a lack of club action doesn't necessarily mean dimishing opportunities with the national side.

Cech has previous for speaking out. Last season his frustrations were understandable, he was being kept out by Robinson, even when the latter was struggling.

Di Matteo isn't scared of pushing youngsters into the frame and, while Albion keep making progress, both Koren and Cech need to show more humility - also remembering that Albion pay their wages, not the respective Slovenian or Slovakian FAs.

The upshot is that both footballers can be key figures for Albion between now and the end of the season.

*TUNE into this Thursday's Albion live chat, between 1.30 and 2.30 at www.birminghammail.net/live

Leicester tomorrow, La Manga on Sunday.

Leicester and La Manga. Where have I seen those words in one context before?

Albion jet out for a five-day training camp next week, a custom which has grown since Bryan Robson's time at the club, when they were, ominously, referred to as 'bonding trips'.

The closed-shop nature of the five-day jaunt mean that playing and coaching staff only will be allowed on the Spanish trip - no media officers, no press, no photographers hanging around.

Back in days of Andy Johnson and Geoff Horsfield - I'm sure they won't mind me mentionning it - I would spend every morning tentatively flicking through the pages of the national tabloid newspaper, just in case a 'footballers in crazed rampage' headline flashed before my eyes. And it did once - a fire extinguisher being released in a luxury Dubai hotel.

Still, surely nothing can top the Foxes trip to the Spanish resort a few years back when Dennis Wise made friends with his team-mates in his own unique manner.

But somehow I can't see Roberto Di Matteo's men slipping into such bad habits.

Knowing the current squad - minus the seven internationals - the only controversies of the week will centre around who-rammed-who off the track in the marathon Mario Kart sessions.

THANK goodness there was a scoreboard.

Some of us were running out of fingers to keep count of the score in tonight's reserve-team game between Burton Albion and the Baggies.

It finished Burton Albion 0, West Bromwich Albion 10.

In no particular order - Reid (2), Martis (2), Wood (2), Downing, Bednar, Elford-Alliyu and Barnett did the damage against a dreadfully hapless Burton Albion side, featuring 46-year-old goalkeeper Kevin Poole.

At least referee Mr M Bristow showed a sympathetic side (why do clubs never give the first name of officials on team-sheets or programmes?)

Eight second-half goals and four substitutions should have necessitated a mandatory 30 seconds for each goal and sub. We were facing a minimum of five minutes added on. Mr Bristow called time when the clock hit 90 minutes.

Check out the match report in tomorrow's Birmingham Mail.

When was the last time Albion scored 10 in a fixture of any sort?

And speaking of teasers, here's one for you: Looking back at Saturday's 5-0 win against Watford, when was the last time three different Albion players scored their first-ever League goals for the club in one game?

Good luck with that one.

When can you not enjoy a five nil win?

Roberto Di Matteo wasn't happy after the victory against Watford.

He spat out his answers in the post-match press conference when explaining why he was so seemingly unhappy.

Albion's head coach was upset by the 'critics' who tore into his side following the 0-0 at Coventry City last weekend and in recent weeks when his side have taken just one win in seven games.

Whether he meant the press, the fans or the post-match phone-ins he never explained.

Di Matteo argues, somewhat correctly, that Albion are minus Morrison, Miller, Clement, with Bednar and Brunt both absent against Coventry and in previous games. Fair point.

And, let's be honest, third spot in a tough division was a considerable achievement for any new boss. The fact his side are now top after their second five goal win of the season is even more impressive. For this he deserves credit. And credit he has had.

However, part of Di Matteo's development as a manager must include learning to take criticism - because any poor result for a club of Albion's size in the Championship will be scrutinised, whether it's by fans, the written press, the more unforgiving radio media and their frenzied phone-in culture, or those sat at home listening via the Internet or watching Soccer Saturday.

One victory in seven games will always prompt debate.

Saturated coverage of footbal and the relentless need for results has contributed to a changing landscape when it comes to the analysis of matches, performances and team selections. Everyone, of all ages and backgrounds, will offer opinions.

Albion have won promotion with two different managers on three occasions during the last eight seasons - so expectation is something Di Matteo will need to deal with, not least as he has aspirations to manage at the highest level. He will have been conditioned to that as a player with Lazio, Chelsea and, more so, Italy. It's something he will not have experienced as a manager, until now.

It goes with the job.

Di Matteo has had a lot of praise already this season, whether through the written press, the radio coverage or from fans. He impressed those who attended a supporters' forum some weeks ago and he's produced some good results on the pitch. He sees football in a more pragmatic, sensible manner than his predecessor Tony Mowbray.

He is missing two of his best players through injury and was without key personnel for recent games. Dips in form are always likely yet scrutiny remains a part of the job.

It's a shame Di Matteo was unable to enjoy Saturday's victory against a Watford side who have done well in recent times. In some ways he is right not to get carried away. And he's spot on about five 1-0s being better than a couple of 5-0s.

But, equally, if you can't enjoy your second five nil win before the end of October then when can you?

He needs to enjoy the good times no matter how hard the fall-out is from the bad times.

PS. These rumours about David Healy... completely wide of the mark.

HERE's a thought. Back in 2007/08, Albion's opening 14 games - the 3-0 win coming at Watford - had already brought nine goals from Kevin Phillips, six from Ishmael Miller, one from Craig Beattie with Roman Bednar still some weeks from making his debut.

Two years on and, in the opening 14 League games, three of Albion's strikers have scored six between them. One, Roman Bednar, is struggling with his fitness and was probably brought back too early. Another Luke Moore has lost his early season and summer form.

He's back to the player he was last year and previously. ie. Not particularly interested.

The third one, Wood, just 17, often has been given the responsibility of scoring Albion's goals. Worryingly, he is starting to get stick from a very small minority of fans.

And the fourth striker is Simon Cox, who has barely been used. Sources tell me that he can play up front on his own, as part of a two or in a supporting role. Albion's coaching staff - check out Eddie Newton's comments last week - are pleased with him. Yet, still, he doesn't play. All of this is raising the question most of you would have been asking when Albion first made a bid for him.

Roberto Di Matteo insists Cox was brought to the club with his blessing. Yet the longer his first-team exile continues, the more questions will be raised.

In the light of this, surely now is the time to strengthen - before Albion's form slips any more...

Thursday usually means press conference day at Albion.

This meant a bit of hanging around when Albion were in the Premier League. A 1pm start used to mean a 3-4pm finish by the time Tony Mowbray had finished his lectures and Kit Kat.

But wasn't it quiet today?

Pressers at Villa, Blues and Wolves meant there was just myself and another journalist at the Albion training ground today, with representatives from two radio stations.

The rest abandon Albion when there's no Premier League match to talk about. The national agenda shies away from non-top flight football.

Meanwhile, Wolves had about 20 reporters, Blues welcomed double figures too. Villa, I guess, had even more. They usually do.

The paucity of press is a good thing for Birmingham Mail readers. On Thursday it meant a chat with No2 Eddie Newton in the absense of Roberto Di Matteo, who is still suffering with flu.

Having a high profile manager brings other issues. The national media come all starry eyed and generally start picking a manager's brain about anything but Albion matters - for instance Bryan Robson would spend his time answering questions about Man United or England. Which is hardly what Albion fans wanted to read. Sky Sports used to ask Robson several questions about Albion and one about United/England. Guess which clip you'd see on Sky Sports? It'll be the same waffle you'll see if Albion are promoted next season - endless comments about Chelsea, Italy, Ancelloti, Capello and anything else perceived as being of interest to a national audience. RDM won't be ignoring Albion - they simply edit the comments.That's assuming he entertains such questions (Glenn Hoddle refused to talk about England or 'national matters' when he was boss of Wolves). To give an example, before Albion's recent game against Arsenal, RDM revealed that he was envious about Arsene Wenger's time in Japan. Cue tabloid journalist asking: "So, Roberto...do you like sushi?"

He does.

RDM is a very bright man. But Eddie Newton is also a refreshing change for the media. A different voice. Intelligent, articulate and witty. You can see why he is so popular among players and staff.

He has a lot to say.

Simon Cox, it seems, is getting there and the comments of Swindon's chairman were met with a roll of the eyes. You can read about Cox's progress in Friday's Birmingham Mail. (Personally I think it's time he was given a chance. Moore is back in last season's zone)

Gonzalo Jara has made 'fantastic' impact since joining, according to Newton. Height wasn't a problem for Paul Parker nor for Newton's mate Frank Sinclair. It won't be for Jara either, assuming he stays at centre-half. He also spoke of the naivety and inexperience of Albion's side. Albion's average age is 23. In footballing terms Albion have a young side, who are growing up while they continue the job of trying to get the club up.

It's easy to pick holes in Albion when they lose. Yet Albion are playing in a demanding League where games come every three days early on. There is little time to fine-tune players, adapt a new system of play or remedy mistakes. And all with the core of a squad that was built by somebody else. It's taken some doing that Di Matteo, Newton and Appleton have led Albion to the top. They've made it look easier than it should be and, in all likelihood, made a rod for their own back in terms of expectation. The coaching staff deserve credit - even if some results have been far from convincing. They are about two years behind the stage Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus were at when they took over at Albion. They will make mistakes. They need to learn from those when they do.

Newton spoke of the fears about Roman Bednar's injury and he expressed his relief that the Doc had been on his rounds with the anti-flu jab. Shame it was too late for Di Matteo. There was also comment on Neil Clement, who continues his battle against a major knee injury - the same problem which ruined Newton's career as a player. You can read about Clem in Saturday's Birmingham Mail.

Before Newton, Marek Cech was on press duty. Albion's second-ever Slovakian (remember the first?) has a tendency to shake hands with everyone he meets. So much so that I'm convinced, though I may be wrong, that he once returned to the front of the queue during the pre-match handshakes. He recently exchanged three cheek-to-cheek kisses with a female journalist. Needless to say, he will never get a six out of 10 from her again. It's an Eastern European thing.

In any case it's an exciting time for Cech. He's hoping to be on the plane for South Africa next summer after Slovakia qualified out of a horrible group featuring neighbouring Czech Republic and Poland, along with Slovenia, Northern Ireland and San Marino.

Yet you can't imagine he'll be longing for a return to Poland any time soon. It seems Polish customs officers weren't too impressed with Slovakia's qualification-clinching victory in Chorzow. Staff at a Polish airport kept the Slovakian team waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Cech reckons it was down to their bitterness over defeat. I believe it had more to do with the fact that Poles have a relaxed attitude to drinking at work. That's my version. Marek wasn't having it - he reckoned it was jealousy. He's right.

In any case, he's now having to take Robert Koren and family for a meal after Slovenia beat Slovakia. Still, we all know which of the two Baggies men had the last laugh when it came to World Cup qualification.

Yet Koren still has a chance. So it's just as well the World Cup play-offs aren't seeded.
Oh.

Ps. One esteemed local journalist likened Craig Beattie to a 'carthouse' during the opening stages of Albion's second half against Swansea on Tuesday. Some 30 seconds later Beattie scored the only goal...

One thing I've been frequently asked during my live chats this season is about the health and fitness of James Morrison. A quick-fire Q and A, where I'm trying to answer questions swiftly, means I've not really elaborated.

Sadly, it's been a long, hard slog for Morrison. It remains so. It's hard to believe that such an innocuous blister on his heel can cause such a problem.

What should have been a routine issue was worsened when an infection set in, leaving Mozza with a deep hole in his heel. Worse still, that part of the foot is not well served when it comes to blood circulation.

He then had to be taken into hospital for emergency treatment when infection set in. I'm no medical expert, but it simply doesn't bear thinking about how nasty this injury could have got.

But that was then.

The recovery has been slow. He's had plastic surgery and some skin grafting to try and help the process. Not surprisingly, he's been very down - interview requests have, understandably, been politely turned down - but the outlook is hopefully brighter.

Morrison has now had a minor operation now which Albion's medical staff now feel will speed up his process.

It could still be a while yet. When he is ready to train, he'll need to build his fitness back up which will take a few weeks.

Albion are going well. But having a fit and functioning Morrison would give them a huge lift. Let's hope this latest medical procedure will be the start of the end in this sorry saga and that we see Morrison back in an Albion shirt before too long.

*Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of Tony Mowbray's unveiling as Albion boss.

Yet that phone call he took from then Livingston boss Mark Proctor, about two years ago, must be the best call he ever took as Albion manager.

£100,000 for Graham Dorrans was money well spent by Albion. I would suggest so.

Every now and again Albion hit upon a good idea.

And this one is a belter.

The club are opening their doors to help find a potential next Hawthorns hero.

So if you're a lad of 14-16, can kick a ball straight, or know somebody who can and falls into that age group, then you may wish to know more.

The Baggies are offering open trials for boys aged between 14 and 16 later this month. It's an ideal opportunity to earn a full Baggies Academy trial.

The trials will take place at the club's indoor training facility off Halfords Lane.

Players must be in years nine, ten or 11 at school, hold a full European passport, be in full-time education and live within one-and-a-half hours of The Hawthorns.

* GOALKEEPERS - Must be slim with an athletic build, agile and have good handling skills.

* DEFENDERS - Must be quick with and without the ball, and competitive.

* MIDFIELDERS - Must be able to manipulate the ball in tight areas and execute a range of long and short passes.

* FORWARDS - Goalscorers, dribblers, target men or poachers.

Anyone interested MUST call Steve Hopcroft on 07961 704 595 and quote 'open trials'.

You will be given a date and time to attend - either Tuesday, October 27, or Thursday, October 29 - and the cost of the trial will be £10. For this you will receive a training T-shirt to keep and a ticket to an Albion first-team game.

If only they'd had something like this when I was a lad...(it probably wouldn't have made the blindest bit of difference)

Sol Campbell. A big name, a big personality and a big defender who, we're told, was too big for Meadow Lane.

If someone offered me £42k a week, I'd happily play for two days without rest on a cow field wearing flip flops, not least if Hooters is within a five minute walk.

What is clear, from my dealings with various folks, is that the nervous fidgeting has started at Albion. Put a question to them and the 'umm', 'ah' and 'well...' all begin. This is a sign. I was first alerted to this on Wednesday. Was there anything in Sol Campbell 'having a medical'? Several text messages, two phone calls and, later that evening, a few Facebook messages. So, naturally, I put it to Albion.

'No', I was told. Probably after much nervous umming and ahing.

Which, of course, is a 'no', in the same way, you or I, would say 'no, well, maybe..oh go on then, if you say so...'.

Actually, he probably hasn't had the medical yet - so the club get the benefit of my doubt on a technicality - but there is no doubt that Albion's pursuit of the 35-year-old is more advanced than they will ever tell us publicly. So much so, I've heard he's been to the training ground, met the mana...sorry, head coach and probably had time for a swift one down the Bell.

Will it happen? Well, that's assuming he gets special dispensation. If he does then there's a very good chance he will ONLY be granted a move to a non-Premier League club. That gives Albion a strong chance. Middlesbrough have signed St Ledger, Newcastle have signed Khizanishvili.

QPR, the most likely alternative given Sol's preference for the bright lights of that London, are being distracted by Flavio Briatore being investigated as to whether he's suitable to own a football club. (For non-F1 fans, the Italian told one of his drivers, Nelson Piquet, to risk his own life by crashing his car so Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso could gain an advantage from a safety car situation to win the race) You decide whether he's fit to run your football club? Interestingly, QPR's assistant is John Gorman, the ex-England and Spurs No2, who will know all about Campbell.

If Campbell doesn't get 'special dispensation' then will Notts County wish to loan him out?

We don't know.

One thing is certain - Albion will need to pay big money by their standards.Two millions pound would cover 12 months of the five-year deal he was on at Notts County. And, as you and I know, Jeremy Peace usually only 'tops up' in January. Unless this means that we'll be seeing a few leaving in the New Year. Barnett, Meite, Teixeira can't be long for this club surely? If Sol Campbell does join Albion then he'll almost certainly be coming on a much lower salary than those he gets at Notts County.

Only time will tell.

On another note, Ishmael Miller was full of enthusiasm down the training ground today. For someone who hasn't played for 10 months, he's looking lean and in good shape. He was happy and delighted to be active - for today he ran for the first time. Will he be ready for the mental and physical hurdles which await? He claims so. And, given that he's taller than me, I won't argue.

And, what's more, he's already set a date for his return. To find out when you'll have to check out Friday's Birmingham Mail. You may be pleasantly surprised...