Milo Thompson on Twitter: Pardew had to go. The error was not appointing a manger with any pedigree - Carver couldn't even hack it in the MLS

Alistair Mann
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"The famous American circus impresario PT Barnum is often attributed as the man who first introduced the idea that there's no such thing as bad publicity. It's debatable whether Newcastle United would agree with the sentiment.

"Perhaps poignantly, this week marks the 60th anniversary of their last domestic trophy success and there's not a single one of their thousands of fiercely loyal supporters who wouldn't gladly sacrifice the constant spotlight for just a taste of some on-field glory.

"The contrast to the mood of visitors West Brom couldn't be starker. With Albion's status all but secured, courtesy of a stunning win at Old Trafford, they'll be able to express themselves without any of the anxiety that is sure to engulf the home dressing room.

"Perhaps another PT Barnum quote may be appropriate for the Newcastle players entrusted to cope with what's sure to be a cauldron of angst within St' James Park: 'Fortune always favours the brave and never helps a man who doesn't help himself.'"

Image source, Getty Images

Here's some news about Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Some of the club's fans might find what follows distressing.

"Billionaire Mike Ashley was nearly £100m richer as a result of the election," reports the Guardian., external

"Labour leader Ed Miliband had promised to end the worst abuses of zero-hours contracts, giving workers the right to a regular contract after 12 weeks. Sports Direct has 15,000 of its staff on such contracts and its shares jumped 4.5%, adding £95m to the value of founder Ashley's shares."

Image source, Getty Images

Before Newcastle's vital match against West Brom, BBC World Service will have interviews with former Newcastle defenders Nikos Dabizas and Olivier Bernard to discuss what is going wrong at St James' Park.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"Dark clouds gathering over St James' Park - especially after Sunderland's win at Everton."

I'm sure most Newcastle fans will be trying to keep an eye on what is going on elsewhere this afternoon.

BBC Sport now offers a separate live page on each Premier League game, so you can keep abreast of happenings elsewhere.

Click on the link below for each game.

Aston Villa v West Ham (15:00 BST)

Hull v Burnley (15:00 BST)

Leicester v Southampton (15:00 BST)

Newcastle v West Brom (15:00 BST)

Stoke v Tottenham (15:00 BST)

Image source, Getty Images

John Carver is in the building.

There are not a whole lot of Newcastle fans with bums on seats yet though.

Very patchy all around St James Park.

Image source, @NUFC

Newcastle coach John Carver has decided that - after declaring himself the best coach in the Premier League this week - less is more when it comes to programme notes.

Just 34 words and a whacking great photo fill his page.

We've all been there.

Up against a deadline, short of ideas, tweak up the font size and away you go...

BBC Final Score

We've teamed up with Final Score to get your thoughts on Newcastle's prospects for the remainder of the season - and whether they will stay up or not.

Vote now at the top of this page. The vote will close at 16:50 BST and terms and conditions can be found here.

Image source, .

The Magpies have lost eight Premier League matches in a row and only once before have they had a streak of at least nine defeats in the top flight (10 from August to October 1977). They went on to be relegated that season.

Newcastle already have the longest losing streak in the Premier League this season (eight). Aston Villa lost seven matches between January and February 2015, their streak ended with a 2-1 home victory against West Brom.

Full-time at Goodison Park. Sunderland have won 2-0 to shoot up to 14th. Newcastle are now just a point away from the relegation zone.

Make no mistake about it, Newcastle are deep, deep in trouble. And are flat-lining at just the wrong time.

Image source, ALAMY

Newcastle are forced into a defensive re-jig after Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat's red cards against Leicester. Vurnon Anita fills in as makeshift full-backs while Remy Cabella is included in a more attack-minded line-up.

West Brom make one change from the side that won away to Manchester United last time out with Victor Anichebe in place of Saido Berahino up front.

Newcastle XI: Krul, Anita, Coloccini, Dummett, Gutierrez, Sissoko, R Taylor, Colback, Perez, Riviere, Cabella

West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Gardner, Fletcher, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt, Anichebe

Let's have a look at how the two teams line up then...

Local and relegation rivals Sunderland - leading 2-0 - are moments away from victory away to Everton. Those three points would move the Black Cats out of the bottom three and above Newcastle.

Eight successive league defeats have left morale as low as a snake's belly.

This is a massive, massive game for Newcastle if they are to avoid another taste of Championship cattle-class.

Image source, Reuters

This afternoon has not started well for Newcastle....