While Albion fans watch the fun and games unfold over in the second city, they might wish to place the popcorn back on the table and raise a glass.

I would suggest a toast to Dan Ashworth.

Let's go back to about 18 months ago.

Not long after Roberto Di Matteo took over, the club's sporting and technical director spoke to the Albion matchday programme.

His comments were the usual pre-Christmas insight about how Albion would prepare for the 2010 transfer window.

Included in the feature was a reference to Albion's continued search for potential and eventual successors for Di Matteo.

A lot of this was made at the time in certain quarters - not least how Di Matteo would interpret reading about the club looking for his replacement.

Was it expressing a lack of confidence in the regime at the time? Was it undermining RDM and his coaches?

Far from it. It's called preparation. Due diligence. Something other clubs are seemingly lacking.

If any justification is needed then Albion supporters need only look at their squabbling neighbours.

While civil war continues, you wonder how Villa and Blues have managed to get themselves into a pickle.

Villa knew, some two months ago, that Gerard Houllier was unlikely to return - regardless of what they said publicly.

Even in the best case scenario of Houllier being back in office they should have had a contingency plan ready.

And what of Blues? Where do they go for their next manager?

Both clubs lack a crucial element - somebody with footballing know-how within their boardroom.

Ashworth, regardless of whether Roy Hodgson is at Albion for one year or 10 years, will already be searching for the next up-and-coming boss.

So much for technical directors having no place in English football.

Albion fans might have only been one goal away from being the West Midlands' top club, but they are certainly streets ahead in terms of intelligence when it comes to footballing administration.