Relegation Battle

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Who's going down then?

[Bully]

wigan are goners for sure

[Jim05]

Said at start of season that three W's would go down but i had west brom, wolves and west ham. I now think the hammers to stay and wigan to go

[mighty_tiger_79]

brum with games in hand can survive but only just

[johntheclaret]

Watched West Ham against both Liverpool and Stoke and based on those two performances WHUFC are safe. They have a full squad now, at the right time, and Demba Ba has given them a new dimension up front. Hitzelspergen, back from injury, is like a new signing. Their problem will be the remaining fixtures, including Man U and Spurs in their next two games.

WBA have found that fighting spirit under Hodgson and was good value for their 3-1 win over Birmingham. That same spirit gained them a late point at Wolves, and they have some momentum now. Should be safe.

Wolves have done ok at home, with the best record against the top 6 of all the strugglers. McCarthy is depending in that home form and to be fair to them, they have been unlucky in more than a few games this year. If they can learn to hold on to a lead and play for 90 minutes, they might still be in the EPL next year.

Wigan were desperately unlucky against City yesterday, and dominated for long periods. Their problem is the lack of goals and missed chances, that is what will cost them their top flight status.

Birmingham have two games in hand

[johntheclaret]

Birmingham hav two games in hand and although they have to win them, they have the ability to pick up enough points to keep them safe. A heavy defeat to WBA can be put down to a post League Cup hangover and should bring back down to earth. McLeish is a tough manager and Brum have plenty of fighting spirit as ably demonstrated against the gunners. Should be safe.

Blackpool are in trouble. They don't have any depth to their squad and are missing their two most influential players in Adams and Campbell. Ollie is a good manager and done well to get them where they are but if they lose easily to Chelsea today, I don't think they will have enough in the tank to make it over the line.

Blackburn have gone from bad to worse under the new Indain owners. They are a big physical unit and have 10 years EPL experience under their belt, but their play is predictable and any side with some pace up front, can open them up. They are already shipping goals (14 in 4 away games) and have lost the services of Nelson and now Givet, both redcarded in the last two games which shows how the pressure is getting to them. They might have enough to stay up, they might not

[johntheclaret]

Down, Wigan, Blackpool, and either Wolves or Blackburn

[Jim05]

Down, Wigan, Blackpool, and either Wolves or Blackburn

I hope not, they have been a bit of a revelation this season. They play attractive, attacking football and their fans have really added something this season. I really do hope they stay up.

[johntheclaret]

No different than Burnley last year Jim
Open attacking football in this league gets you crucified.
We had a full house for every home game and sold out our away allocation for every away game.
That's what happens when you have been out of the top flight for over 30 years. I don't see any difference with Blackpool this year.

Just enjoy the season come what may.

[Jim05]

No different than Burnley last year Jim
Open attacking football in this league gets you crucified.
We had a full house for every home game and sold out our away allocation for every away game.
That's what happens when you have been out of the top flight for over 30 years. I don't see any difference with Blackpool this year.

Just enjoy the season come what may.

No arguments there.
Be interesting to see what would happen to teams like Burnley if they were allowed one more year in the big league, im sure their game plan would change and they would be better for the experience. The sad truth is that a club like Burnley or Blackpool that gets relegated may take many years to recover.

[johntheclaret]

Steady on lad. We are only 4 points outside the playoff's with 2 games in hand and putting a nice little run together. Automatic promotion is only 8 points away, again with 2 games in hand

I know what you say though but a lot of clubs panic buy in the hope it will keep them up, and when it doesn't they are left with big wage bills and crap income.

[RoosterMarty]

Do clubs still get parachute payments for when they get relegated?

[johntheclaret]

Do clubs still get parachute payments for when they get relegated?

Yeah in fact they have increased. Clarets get £12m a year for 4 years. I guess that length is designed to compensate for any lengthy contracts although I am not sure it is entirely fair

[mighty_tiger_79]

wolves grabbing a 3-3 draw this morning gives them a crucial point

[Pidge]

I'd be VERY surprised if Blackpool went down. They have 4 home matches in a row in April.

[johntheclaret]

And the worst home record in the division. They've actually won more away from home so Holloway might be wishing he had four straight aways.
Arsenal is one of those 4 home games, and Newcastle.

[JK]

And the worst home record in the division. They've actually won more away from home so Holloway might be wishing he had four straight aways.
Arsenal is one of those 4 home games, and Newcastle.

I hope Blackpool stay up just so we get more Holloway interviews .. He's more entertaining than any team in the EPL

[johntheclaret]

He drinks in my local mate. He is a loon

[Pidge]

He drinks in my local mate. He is a loon

He's a classic. Saw an interview the other week where they were talking about his 'man love' for 'Arry Redknapp.. Gold!

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZdAOyLKy90