Brom down two to go now Mags need to win the winnable

THREE HOME VICTORIES SHOULD ENSURE PREMIER LEAGUE SAFETY FOR NEWCASTLE

IT’S not often that Geordies have felt grateful to Alan Pardew, but perhaps we ought to offer up a thank you to him for virtually guaranteeing that West Bromwich are going to be relegated.

That’s one of the three seats on the Championship chariot booked. All we need now is two more.

Only three victories in 28 Premier League games – one in 14 under Pardew – have left Albion marooned seven points from safety and sinking in choppy waters.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have been crawling towards safety rather than taking a run at it.

They have lost but twice in their last 10 Premier League games – both to runaway leaders Manchester City – though that record of defiance will be severely tested at Liverpool come tea time.

The Reds attack relentlessly, smoothly and swiftly – a lot like City, so we all know what we face.

Of course a succession of onepointers instead of three have slowed progress, but owt is better than nowt.

Within the last 24 hours St James’ Park has been awash with celebration, and it would be nice to think that come the last day of the season on May 13 when Chelsea come calling a more modest achievement will be celebrated with equal gusto.

The 25th anniversary of Kevin Keegan’s early Entertainers gaining promotion to the PL as champions in 1992-93 is what brought a bevy of old stars to SJP to join fans in breaking bread and reminiscing.

I played host to the likes of Gavin Peacock, David Kelly and another half-a-dozen one-time heroes recalling a memorable season which culminated in a 7-1 thrashing of Leicester City when Andy Cole and Ned Kelly claimed a hat-trick apiece.

This time we merely wish for survival, and I think if we win our three home matches against Southampton, Huddersfield and West Brom (with or without Pardew) it’ll be job done. The Saints and Town are the next two fixtures upcoming at home either side of a three-week break due to Spurs away being postponed because of the FA Cup and the international break.

So we’re about to get a ruddy good idea of United’s fate before the month is out.

Of course, it isn’t as easy as that. The Mags have made a habit of not winning their winnable games, but if they are to survive they cannot keep squandering their best opportunities. Yes, the opposition have something to play for as well but United are the team at home and have to find a way to break down massed and stubborn opposition.

Manchester United were beaten last time the cathedral on the hill was open for business when being second-top meant they had enough to play for, so surely the Saints, Huddersfield and Albion can be put to the buck.