Reasons why I'm hopeful over Moyes:
-Roy Keane is in the frame for Celtic according to reports, so I don't think that's a starter for Moyes anymore (if it ever was)
-I've said before that Moyes seems to have a pretty nice looking home in Lancs. I'd've thought that might- MIGHT- be a potential barrier to a move to Soton/ Spurs, and that Albion might be better located for this reason.
-Spurs aside I don't think there's a better English job available than the Albion. That includes Soton who seem set to have the best parts of their 1st 11 cherry picked by richer clubs.
- I've got no problem with Downing being interviewed. For a lot of jobs in all kinds of fields there are internal as well as external candidates. All part of the due diligence. To interview him is logical (although to give him the gig would be highly illogical...)
- Moyes isn't automatically top of the list for other jobs because of the Man U problems and his name isn't being chucked around much for that reason too.
- Both he and his agent have been relatively quiet regarding new jobs since his sacking so there's been little in terms of fuel for the press stories.
So IF he wants the job and the Club can accommodate his staff in the existing framework, it's a goer.
The only remaining spanner in the works that occurs to me- and you can call me daft if you like, but it's a potential issue- is if he's already signed up to go to Brazil as a TV pundit. Then again, if he's not putting in a shift behind his desk at the Hawthorns, at least he can say he's been helping to scout players.
So having said all that, if the Albion have not at least been on the blower to Moyes or his rep, then I am a Dutchman...and we'll probably end up with one running the team