Postcard from...a West Midlands derby

Some observations.

1. Leon will get over it. The TV evidence wasn't kind, nor were Tony Mowbray's comments. Nor, for that matter, are my individual player ratings in Monday's Birmingham Mail. However, Barnett doesn't become a bad player overnight. Leon won't have been involved in the final set-piece drills or the pre-match training sessions. Although he's a professional, there's still a chance he wasn't 100 per cent switched on - it would be human nature if that was the case. So, despite the basic lapses, he must be cut some slack. Although you get the feeling he'll be glad that he doesn't face John Carew every week...

2. If you're going to organise a race between mascots at The Hawthorns then don't allow Wolfie from Wolves to win. More so if the bloke inside the costume happens to be a 'ringer' who supports Albion!

3. James Morrison has a point - Jonathan Greening DOES look like Screech from 'Saved by the Bell'.

4. 'Mozza' is also Albion's most improved player of the season so far. He was excellent last year but, during the early parts of this campaign, has looked more accomplished. His overall game has improved, he looks hungry and looks completely at ease at this level, more so than he did in the Championship.

5. Martin O'Neill might have won today's derby but he didn't beat Albion's groundstaff. The Villa boss was stood pitchside, speaking to my colleague and the Birmingham Mail's Villa reporter Bill Howell when the sprinklers came on. Whether he would have taken it in good spirits had Villa lost is unlikely.

6. Anyone get the feeling that Curtis Davies isn't necessarily the best of mates with certain Albion players? His pre-match comments about certain individuals not being honest enough to admit they wanted a move from The Hawthorns in summer 2007 were certainly a little barbed. As were some of the early challenges in yesterday's derby...