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This time last year, Alan Pardew's men had 23 more points and all talk was of the top five and European qualification. Fast forward twelve months and things look a great deal bleaker. Any hope of finishing fifth again was abandoned long ago and attentions turned instead to actually remaining in the top flight. Last week's crushing 3-0 defeat to derby rivals Sunderland must have been a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle fans and there's little doubt that loss will still be playing on their minds today. Pardew will be looking for a reaction today against West Brom and with the threat of relegation still threatening to creep up on them, three points here would go a very long way to ensuring their survival in the Premier League. However, the Magpies haven't won on the road since January's win at Aston Villa at Villa Park, and have only taken four points from an available 33 on their travels. They also come up against a West Brom side who haven't been shifted from the top nine in the league table all season. It's been an excellent season under Steve Clarke and his accomplishments are all the more impressive when you stop to consider this is only his first year in management. Though any hopes of a push for Europe were dismissed weeks ago, this has still been a story of success for the Scotsman. West Brom have gotten to where they are at the moment with very few resources. Along with Everton, they have used the fewest number of players (23) in the Premier League this season, and the fact that they are as close to Liverpool as they are at present is an accomplishment worthy of taking your hat off for, all things considered. Predicted Scoreline
West Brom 1 - 0 Newcastle Steve Clarke's West Brom have been the proverbial mixed bag at home this season. Two wins in seven at The Hawthorns since the turn of the year is hardly inspired form. However, I still think they will prevail over Newcastle today, who will still be flat after their 3-0 crushing by Sunderland. This won't be the reaction Alan Pardew will have hoped for, but I still think his Magpies will stay up this season - just.
Joseph Dempsey
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Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
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