Five things learned from West Brom's win over Newcastle United
West Brom dodged relegation once more by beating Newcastle United at St. James' Park - here's what we learned from the encounter.
A single goal from Matt Phillips was enough to secure another three points for Albion, meaning that they're still mathematically able to escape the drop, for now.
Darren Moore is now a genuine candidate
The caretaker boss has unified the whole club, and has somehow restored the feel-good factor to a team bottom of the table.
Even when you ignore the emotional pull of appointing him, there is an increasing amount of evidence to suggest he’s up for the task.
He’s shown a determined and steely resolve in these four games, set up a balanced team, and made substitutions that work.
The permanent role is much different to being a caretaker, but he’s responded to every test so far. Why can’t it continue?
Craig Dawson growing in stature at centre-back
If only Albion weren’t going down. Dawson will have plenty of suitors this summer, and quite rightly.
If he leaves, it will be a shame, because he’s future captain material.
After years of toil at right-back, he’s flourished in the middle in the past few weeks and on Saturday he was colossal.
If Albion can somehow keep him for next season they should build the backline around him and contemplate making him vice-captain behind Chris Brunt.
If he leaves, then good luck to him, and hopefully his next club play him in the middle.
Matt Phillips has got his groove back
There was so much passion behind his thumping finish, it was almost as if he was exorcising some demons.
It was his first goal since October and only his second in the league this season. There was also plenty of confidence behind it too.
Moore deserves credit for restoring the winger to the player he was last season in these last four games.
Phillips may interest a few clubs this summer, but Albion can’t sell everyone, so he could well stay.
When he’s playing like this, he’ s a huge asset.
What might have been?
This is destined to go down as the season of ‘What if?’.
What if Albion had got rid of Alan Pardew earlier? What if they had held on to a few of those 26 points chucked away from winning positions? What if those in charge had realised Moore was going to have this impact?
Hypotheticals are dangerous, because there’s no guarantee this would have happened in other circumstances.
But Albion are getting better under Moore, this was the best all-round team performance of the season, barring Liverpool in the FA Cup.
What might have been...
The board now have a problem
Darren Moore and his coaching staff have to stay at the club, that much is clear.
Which means any new man will need to agree to incorporate them into their plans. That could put a few candidates off.
There is also the fact that Moore is getting the backing from senior players like Ben Foster. He’s grown from a caretaker to a contender.
It has thrown another spanner into the works, because instead of just choosing a boss from those out there, the board must first decide if they think Moore is up to the task.
