[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Jeff Astle scores Albion's opener in the FA Cup quarter-final decider against Liverpool, 18th April 1968

When you're struggling, the Christmas fixture schedule can look pretty unforgiving, and there's no doubt at all after Saturday's defeat that Albion are indeed struggling. The new manager bounce just hasn't materialised, and while Pardew can't be expected to work instant miracles, it's somewhat frustrating to watch winnable matches fall by the wayside while he works through the standard catalogue of elementary mistakes.

If there are any other schoolboy errors to get out of the system, it's probably best done during tomorrow's trip to Anfield, which isn't really down as a winnable match in anyone's book. As a manager prone to winning streaks in previous jobs, the hope is that when he finally hits on the right formula, the points will come in a flood. The concern, however, is that we don't really have all that long for the necessary sea-change to come.

Laurie Cunningham takes Albion's title challenge to Anfield, 3rd February 1979

[Bournemouth Baggie]

Great pics, what we’d give............

[WBA-Josh]

Crystal Palace's win tonight puts them above us. The next two matches are crucial for our season. Lose them both and we're in deep scheiße.

I hope AP makes a couple of changes to the team and gets Phillips and Brunt back in the starting 11.

[BaggieMan]

Josh, dropping into the bottom three, we're already in the deep doodies which, with our next two games, is only going to get worse. The future isn't bright.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Realistically, we were always going to end up in the drop zone after blowing two home six-pointers and then losing to Swansea.

It's what we do from here on that counts.

[BaggieMan]

I can see us rock bottom by 2nd Jan. Could it be another 'Great Escape'?

AP has certainly picked up a challenge left by TP.

[Stairs]

This is a dark chapter at the moment and I do feel quite numb by it all.

TP has to go. He was squeezing the life out of our club. Maybe it has been left too late and the players are not able to revive their enthusiasm or rekindle their attacking flair.

AP has to be given time and hopefully will turn this around. But I think it will be through the catalyst of a few new players and not just with the squad he inherited.

This is going to be a close call. Relegation is a real possibility in my mind at the moment.

[Worldclassalbion]

Is Phillips still long term? If so Burke just because of his lightning pace should be out wide so we can counter and Chadli needs to return and step up. I also agree we need Brunty's guile to open teams up.

As mentioned Pards needs time and new players so although I'm worried I still believe he can do a job for us.

[tidy]

Is Phillips still long term? If so Burke just because of his lightning pace should be out wide so we can counter and Chadli needs to return and step up. I also agree we need Brunty's guile to open teams up.

As mentioned Pards needs time and new players so although I'm worried I still believe he can do a job for us.

I don't. We will be too far adrift by the time we have played Arsenal.

Liverpool - A
Man Utd - H
Stoke - A
Everton - H
Arsenal - H

Possible 1pt or at best 4.

Say your prayers, guys.

[4evaabaggie]

I don't expect anything from the next five, four of the traditional top seven and I see another ghost 're emerging .... the clayhead hoodoo ....... I am only grateful we have beaten derby's one win and eleven point season already or that could have been in danger. So glad we won the first two ......

Don't want to be so negative but .........