Swedish defender Olsson signed for Albion from Dutch side Nijmegen

West Bromwich Albion defender Jonas Olsson believes new manager Roberto Di Matteo's approach to defending will benefit the Baggies this year.

Albion conceded 67 goals last season under former boss Tony Mowbray, as they were relegated from the Premier League.

"I suppose it's come from the manager's Italian roots," Olsson told BBC WM.

"We're starting to defend as a unit, not singling out the back four and defending as a team. That will be key for us if we want to get back up."

Mowbray's team were praised for their attempts to play good football in the top-flight, although they finished bottom of the table, three points from safety.

Olsson said that Di Matteo, who led MK Dons to the League One playoffs in 2008-09 before moving to The Hawthorns in the summer, has slightly changed their style of play.

The 26-year-old Swede said: "If you look at the two games we've played so far, we play pretty similar to last year, we're trying to keep the ball and play football, but the new manager wants to us to play a little bit more direct and I think that will suit us."

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