Newton's findings

Thursday usually means press conference day at Albion.

This meant a bit of hanging around when Albion were in the Premier League. A 1pm start used to mean a 3-4pm finish by the time Tony Mowbray had finished his lectures and Kit Kat.

But wasn't it quiet today?

Pressers at Villa, Blues and Wolves meant there was just myself and another journalist at the Albion training ground today, with representatives from two radio stations.

The rest abandon Albion when there's no Premier League match to talk about. The national agenda shies away from non-top flight football.

Meanwhile, Wolves had about 20 reporters, Blues welcomed double figures too. Villa, I guess, had even more. They usually do.

The paucity of press is a good thing for Birmingham Mail readers. On Thursday it meant a chat with No2 Eddie Newton in the absense of Roberto Di Matteo, who is still suffering with flu.

Having a high profile manager brings other issues. The national media come all starry eyed and generally start picking a manager's brain about anything but Albion matters - for instance Bryan Robson would spend his time answering questions about Man United or England. Which is hardly what Albion fans wanted to read. Sky Sports used to ask Robson several questions about Albion and one about United/England. Guess which clip you'd see on Sky Sports? It'll be the same waffle you'll see if Albion are promoted next season - endless comments about Chelsea, Italy, Ancelloti, Capello and anything else perceived as being of interest to a national audience. RDM won't be ignoring Albion - they simply edit the comments.That's assuming he entertains such questions (Glenn Hoddle refused to talk about England or 'national matters' when he was boss of Wolves). To give an example, before Albion's recent game against Arsenal, RDM revealed that he was envious about Arsene Wenger's time in Japan. Cue tabloid journalist asking: "So, Roberto...do you like sushi?"

He does.

RDM is a very bright man. But Eddie Newton is also a refreshing change for the media. A different voice. Intelligent, articulate and witty. You can see why he is so popular among players and staff.

He has a lot to say.

Simon Cox, it seems, is getting there and the comments of Swindon's chairman were met with a roll of the eyes. You can read about Cox's progress in Friday's Birmingham Mail. (Personally I think it's time he was given a chance. Moore is back in last season's zone)

Gonzalo Jara has made 'fantastic' impact since joining, according to Newton. Height wasn't a problem for Paul Parker nor for Newton's mate Frank Sinclair. It won't be for Jara either, assuming he stays at centre-half. He also spoke of the naivety and inexperience of Albion's side. Albion's average age is 23. In footballing terms Albion have a young side, who are growing up while they continue the job of trying to get the club up.

It's easy to pick holes in Albion when they lose. Yet Albion are playing in a demanding League where games come every three days early on. There is little time to fine-tune players, adapt a new system of play or remedy mistakes. And all with the core of a squad that was built by somebody else. It's taken some doing that Di Matteo, Newton and Appleton have led Albion to the top. They've made it look easier than it should be and, in all likelihood, made a rod for their own back in terms of expectation. The coaching staff deserve credit - even if some results have been far from convincing. They are about two years behind the stage Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus were at when they took over at Albion. They will make mistakes. They need to learn from those when they do.

Newton spoke of the fears about Roman Bednar's injury and he expressed his relief that the Doc had been on his rounds with the anti-flu jab. Shame it was too late for Di Matteo. There was also comment on Neil Clement, who continues his battle against a major knee injury - the same problem which ruined Newton's career as a player. You can read about Clem in Saturday's Birmingham Mail.

Before Newton, Marek Cech was on press duty. Albion's second-ever Slovakian (remember the first?) has a tendency to shake hands with everyone he meets. So much so that I'm convinced, though I may be wrong, that he once returned to the front of the queue during the pre-match handshakes. He recently exchanged three cheek-to-cheek kisses with a female journalist. Needless to say, he will never get a six out of 10 from her again. It's an Eastern European thing.

In any case it's an exciting time for Cech. He's hoping to be on the plane for South Africa next summer after Slovakia qualified out of a horrible group featuring neighbouring Czech Republic and Poland, along with Slovenia, Northern Ireland and San Marino.

Yet you can't imagine he'll be longing for a return to Poland any time soon. It seems Polish customs officers weren't too impressed with Slovakia's qualification-clinching victory in Chorzow. Staff at a Polish airport kept the Slovakian team waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Cech reckons it was down to their bitterness over defeat. I believe it had more to do with the fact that Poles have a relaxed attitude to drinking at work. That's my version. Marek wasn't having it - he reckoned it was jealousy. He's right.

In any case, he's now having to take Robert Koren and family for a meal after Slovenia beat Slovakia. Still, we all know which of the two Baggies men had the last laugh when it came to World Cup qualification.

Yet Koren still has a chance. So it's just as well the World Cup play-offs aren't seeded.
Oh.

Ps. One esteemed local journalist likened Craig Beattie to a 'carthouse' during the opening stages of Albion's second half against Swansea on Tuesday. Some 30 seconds later Beattie scored the only goal...