That was the week that was

SO what have we learned this week?

- Victor Moses. Was close last Friday but once Wigan came in Albion's chances went. And it was that close. The Baggies' diligence and proactive dialogue with Palace and agent Tony Finnegan helped matters. The administrators would have had their heads turned by Albion's offer but as soon as a Premier League club emerged on Friday evening then it was over.

- Giles Barnes. It says a lot about the fickle nature of football that Barnes' free transfer to Albion barely registered. Three years ago he was the next big thing. Victor Moses, you have been warned. Injuries can reduce a player's status in a flash. Good luck to Giles, in the meantime. If he can get back to anywhere near the player he was then Albion's spot of business will be inspired.

- Andwele Slory likes to be called 'Andy'. Thank goodness. Putting him on for a half hour spell at Blackpool was a brave decision by Roberto Di Matteo. The pitch was awful - frozen in parts, muddy elsewhere... Yet the lad excelled. He went close with his first touch of the ball, seeing a long range shot saved, before a low shot just flashed wide when he was probably caught between a pass and a strike on goal. He's some way from full fitness though.

- Dart boards. We were waiting to interview Andwele Slory in the training ground classroom when Scott Carson burst in with one of the club's backroom staff. Clearly he was panicked. Luckily he found it. Scott 'The Dentist' Carson has introduced a dartboard to the club, for their away days. And, as captain, naturally he's the best. Joe 'Cake Slice' Mattock is reasonable and, according to Chris Brunt, the less said about Graham 'Loudmouth' Dorrans the better. Me thinks Brunty is just jealous as he's no longer on spot-kick duties. And, whatever you do, keep Jonas away from the oche.

- the M55/M6. Eleven different set of roadworks between Blackpool and just north of Birmingham. A two-hour journey becomes a three-hour one. Just once did I spot workmen actually doing any work.

- Albion are stopping up in Lancashire and flying down to the south-west coast ahead of their game at Plymouth. Let's hope they have more joy than they did when they were due to fly back from Newcastle a few Mondays ago. Thick fog forced the cancellation of their flight from Tyneside, forcing Albion players to travel back to Birmingham Airport. No problem there - at least there wouldn't be had it not been for the fact that the fog meant a slower-than-usual trek back to the Midlands, with the bus driver running out of 'time' and being forced to pull over when his allocated driving period was up. Not the journey Di Matteo had in mind. Let's hope the trip down to the south-west has fewer dramas.