Terry Wills on two trips up the M6 for the Albion.

Well, as forecast (but I wish I’d been proved wrong) Albion left Old Trafford on the wrong end of an unsurprising 2-0 defeat.

Early indications were promising with two reasonable chances but once United got into their stride, mainly through the efforts of Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney, there was only going to be one set of supporters feeling happy at the result. And as these had just seen their team go top of the league, no prizes for guessing they just happened to be those worldwide United fans! It was always going to be an uphill battle, especially after Rooney’s opening goal but once Jonas Olsson was shown a red card the task rapidly turned from a hill to Everest.

But that’s done and dusted and it’s on to this week’s game at the home of Wigan Pier against a team desperately striving to avoid what most pundits claim is a ‘certain’ relegation. At face value that’s a reasonable assumption, but looking at the Baggies record against Wigan doesn’t make particularly comfortable reading. Agreed, they have problems scoring goals. But seeing them outplay a very competitive Norwich City, courtesy of Match of the Day, it was clear that should they start convert chances into goals Albion’s defence will be in for a very tough afternoon. Especially with the influential Olsson serving his obligatory match ban.

There’s again been more speculation surrounding Roy Hodgson’s future. Will he stay, will he sign a new contract, will he be offered the England job and if he does depart for pastures new, who has Jeremy Peace lined up to replace him?

But that’s in the not too far off, distant future. The question currently on the minds of Albion’s fans, as they take advantage of the free coach travel to Wigan, will be plain and simple. Can we get back to winning ways, as we did before sitting in the Old Trafford seats ( with VERY limited leg room) to witness our first defeat in four games? Here’s hoping.

Come on you Baggies.