Strange how things seem to come in three’s these days, writes blogger Jarrod Hill. Simon Cox goals, games against Norwich, and the amount of fans in the Smethwick End last Saturday.

Saturday’s game was a bit of surreal for me, usually we are packed in tighter than a ducks backside at the back of the Smethwick with noise levels that can make my brain rattle.

But with fewer than 13,000 turning out for a third round FA Cup game, me and Laura had empty seats galore round us.

OK, maybe that says more about my personal demeanour and my ability to repel people, (especially women) but it clearly shows that the club needs to keep looking at its pricing structure for such games.

The stay away fans missed a very entertaining game and it will be interesting to see what the club decide to do re prices for our fourth round tie.

Cardiff put up a bit of a fight, but the truth is with more clinical finishing we could have scored eight or nine.

Cardiff themselves put out a weakened side due to their League Cup semi final with Crystal Palace, and with ourselves having a number of injuries the two sides had an unusual look to them.

Simon Cox enjoyed his day and netted a superb hat trick.

His second was particularly good and with Shane Long still 50/50 with his back injury it’s good to have Coxy full of confidence heading into an important run of games for us.

Strangely enough this weekend’s opponents just happen to be the team drawn out of the hat to face us again in a few weeks time in the FA Cup.

Norwich have been the surprise package so far this season and Paul Lambert is a manager I believe will go on to manage a much larger club.

Our first win of the season came at Carrow Road when we won 1-0 and I hope they provide us with our first double of the season this Saturday at the Hawthorns.

Reports suggest our injury situation is easing up with a number of our key players fighting to be fit for this important game.

I have stated before that I see the next six games as playing a very important role in where we will find ourselves in the league come the end of the season and starting with a win against Norwich would be the perfect start.

If we could take nine points from our next six games I believe we would have enough in the tank to ensure we avoid relegation.

It would leave us on 31 points and two more wins from our remaining games would give us 37 points and I would bet the farm on that being enough to stay up this season.

All ifs buts and maybes I know, but the point I am trying to make while getting a little Carol Vorderman, (now there’s a thought)…… Sorry where was I?

Oh yes, the point I was trying to make is how important I see the next six games, with fixtures against teams who are all closely bunched up in the league table it gives us a chance to either sink into the dog fight or pull ourselves clear.

Keeping our stars fit and free from injury will certainly help as will any additions Roy Hodgson manages to make during this month.

New recruits in the month of January may not be the norm for us baggies but rumours are abound that Roy has been given the green light to freshen up the squad.

Scott Allan has arrived from Dundee United and although many of us have heard little and seen even less of this lad he does come with a number of ringing endorsements.

A number of respected managers in the game have stated that they see this lad as being a star in the making and I hope they are all right.

Having played only a handful of games this season due to him openly declaring his intention not to sign a new deal I am unsure whether we will see much of him before next season.

However as we have seen with Craig Dawson and George Thorne, Roy Hodgson has no fear in playing young players if he thinks they are ready.

Other transfer targets being mentioned in the press include Peter Whittingham (Cardiff, midfielder), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough, defender), Cristian Rodriguez (FC Porto, winger) and Patrick Helmes (Vfl Wolfsburg,striker).

I was surprised to learn that Peter Whittingham is only 27 years old, he seems to have been around for a long time.

I remember when we sold Jonathon Greening I was suggesting Peter as a like for like replacement but maybe with a possible League Cup final appearance at Wembley and Cardiff pushing for promotion the timing for a deal is not quite right.

Rhys Williams looks like a Premier League player in waiting.

Whenever I have seen him play he looks a really good prospect, but with Middlesbrough looking to gain promotion and under no pressure to sell this again looks like an unlikely deal, but who knows, Tony Mowbray might feel like he owes us one?

Yes I know, I have just read it back!!!

The Cristian Rodriguez rumour looks to have real legs in it. He plays as a left winger, is apparently available, and with Chris Brunt out injured would provide another option.

Dan Ashworth was even spotted scouting him last week, although I would love to know who spotted him?

As rumours go Cristian Rodriguez coming to us seems to make sense. Which leads me onto Patrick Helmes.

This guy is a quality player, I have been known to watch the Bundesliga and up until the last twelve months this guy was one of the hottest strikers around.

His goal scoring record is very good and the quality in the German top division means he would find the transition to English football easier than many others from other nations.

However I would be amazed if this deal happened. Firstly his wife is pregnant and that usually means a reluctance to move, especially to another country.

Secondly, I would imagine this guy has many other suitors, probably a lot higher up the food chain than us.

But the fact we are looking at this quality of player shows that we are looking for the players to take us to the next level.

Anyway here’s hoping Dan Ashworth and Roy Hodgson can get the players they want, and more importantly here’s hoping our medical team can keep our stars fit and healthy.

They are going to be needed, starting with this weekend’s game against Norwich.

Up the Baggies.