Nigeria’s Osaze Odemwingie would have played weekend’s English Premiership League game against Wigan Athletic but the West Brom Steve Clarke coach decided not to feature him to prevent the angry crowd from booing him in that game.
West Brom lost 3-2 to Wigan in that game.
West Brom manager, Steve Clarke, had asked Osaze to warm up in readiness for his introduction into the game, but as soon as the Nigerian stood up, the fans started jeering and booing him much that those on the pitch playing were distracted.
The coach sensing danger immediately asked Odemwingie to get back to the bench and he stopped him from warming up.
Clarke admitted that he had the plan of introducing the Nigerian star but a negative fan reaction stopped him from featuring him.
Clarke sent on Jerome Thomas and James Morrison from the bench midway through the second half on Saturday and revealed after the game that troubled Nigeria star Osaze could have featured had the supporters’ reaction been more favourable.
Odemwingie infamously appeared at Loftus Road on deadline day in January trying to force a move to QPR, and has endured a frosty relationship with the Hawthorns faithful since.
The coach said: “I told Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Osaze Odemwingie to warm up. I intended to use two of the three and to be honest the crowd reaction made up my mind.
“The crowd let their feelings be known, but Osaze is still part of my squad and it’s something that we are going to have to deal with between now and the end of the season.
“We continue to work as we’re working now and I still think Peter’s got a part to play in some matches and we will deal with it from game to game.”
After seeing his side slip up to a relegation-threatened Wigan, Clarke was less than happy with the goals conceded to Arouna Kone, James McArthur and Callum McManaman.
“First half we had good control, scored a really good goal but then we went to sleep a little bit and it gave Wigan life,” the Scot added.
“I’m disappointed with the way we defended the crosses coming into the box and we have to defend better than that.
“For us to lose three goals from open play is very unusual and very disappointing.”
