The DA

The DA’s Dan Green continues his journey of discovery, mystery and away trips to Barnsley.

I feel obliged to start this week’s blog with a heart-felt, sincere apology to all West Bromwich Supporters. Towards the end of last week’s Frown Tale entry, I wished a metaphorical ‘pox’ upon the WBA team (excl. Mr.Dorrans, who was to be spared due to his exceptional talent) in a desperate attempt to ease my own pathetic anxieties over what I saw as the potential derailment of Newcastle United’s promotion campaign. Now, before this blog is inundated with wild and false accusations, I would like to make it clear that firstly, neither I, nor any members of my direct family, have ever had any dealings with ‘black magic’ or ‘the occult’.

Secondly, I do not own, nor have I attempted to produce, a voodoo doll-manifestation of West Brom’s commander-in-chief, Mr Roberto Di Matteo. And finally, I would never, NEVER condone the use of mind-games, gamesmanship or spending an evening texting the WBA squad pictures of my genitals whilst posing the age old question ‘c**k or b*ll’, in order to distract a league rival. All I can suggest is that West Bromwich Albion’s recent decline in form is coincidence: nothing more, nothing less – Just like how it’s a coincidence that nearly every club Harry Redknapp has managed ends up collapsing into administration/financial ruin: West Ham, Southampton, Portsmouth…Coincidence right?!

Now don’t get me wrong – I’m still 90% certain (or 100% certain for all you footballers who like to go up to 110%) that West Brom will finish the season in the second automatic promotion place. However, their shock defeat to Bristol City on Sunday, coupled the recent surprise loss to an ever-improving Reading side in the FA Cup on Wednesday evening, both seem to have taken some of the gloss off what has been a fairly ‘shiny’ season for the Baggies. How strange that WBA should be so averse to losing – You’d of thought it would have reminded them of being in the Premier League…

Even more surprising are the rarely-observed predatory instincts displayed by new league leaders Newcastle United in order to capitalize on this temporary dip in form. A resounding 3-0 win over a lacklustre Preston North End side has given the Magpies some much-needed breathing space over the chasing pack. Importantly, goals are starting to come from all areas of the pitch, with previous underperformers like Peter Lovenkrands, Andy Carroll and right-back Ryan Taylor doing their bit for the ‘score-effort’. Of late, Lovenkrands in particular has gone into each game as confident of scoring as John Terry on a commiseratory visit to comfort Cheryl Cole.

With West Brom now in third and Nottingham Forest a comfortable 5 points behind despite playing an extra game, the Toon Army will be looking to potentially consolidate their position with an away victory over Watford this coming Saturday. West Brom will have faced easier opponents than Derby County this season, whilst Nottingham Forest could find it extremely difficult to come away from their fixture against the impressive Leicester City with any points at all. It sounds like a ‘no-brainer’ doesn’t it? Unfortunately, what worries me most about this weekend’s fixture is the fact that the previously-prolific Magpie attacking line could potentially be spearheaded by a player that defines the term ‘no-brainer’!

If you think you know which Newcastle United forwards I could be referring to, please send in your answers in a stamped addressed envelope. Please note: Ameobi is spelt A-M-E-O-B-I…

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi proudly holds aloft his award for ‘Best football performance by a walking cadaver

You can follow Dan and the DA team @matchoftheda

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