Relegation Battle

 

The English Premier League has entered its final furlong and whilst the top of the table is of course the focus for many it is the bottom-or should I say the mid to bottom- of the table that is possibly even harder to predict.

 

From Sunderland in ninth to Wigan, who prop up the rest, no team is safe or doomed and with 8 games left for most it would be a brave man to bet on the final bottom three. Whilst Wigan may be 8 points behind the ‘black cats’, Sunderland have picked up one point from the last 18 available, Wigan meanwhile have picked up as many points as Manchester City over the same period. The relegation battle was close enough already, but it continues to be squeezed.

 

West Bromwich Albion play attractive football and have taken the scalp of Arsenal among others. However defensively they are poor and the loss of a three goal lead against West Ham and a two goal lead versus Arsenal, both at home, may prove vital.

 

Blackpool appeared to have run out of steam at Christmas and were in danger of free-falling to The Championship.  However, a win against Spurs and a hard earned point away at fellow strugglers Blackburn, as stopped the rot and some form appears to be returning.

 

Fulham and Stoke City seem to be picking up enough points at regular intervals not to be drawn too far down the table, but it would only take a run of poor results to turn that assumption on its head.

 

West Ham United, in the bottom three for much of the season, have found form, winning 3 of the last 6 home games and picking up 19 points from their last 12 outings. A midfield partnership of Scott Parker and Thomas Hitzlsperger has revitalised the ‘hammers’ and they now seem to be a good bet to stay up.

 

Like West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers have picked up some excellent results recently. They were the first team to beat Manchester United this season, and they had already seen off Chelsea at Molineux.  Wolves’ boss, Mick McCarthy is a seasoned campaigner when it comes to a relegation battle and his experience may see Wolves in the premier league next season.

 

The Birmingham duo of Aston Villa and Birmingham City are having mixed seasons. City won their first trophy for many a year against Arsenal and yet their league form sees them second from bottom. However, the City fans are far more patient because of recent success than the Villa supporters. Gerard Houllier has failed to build any sort of relationship with the Villa Park regulars, and even the purchase of proven premier league striker, Darren Bent, has failed to provide any consistency. The Villa players have far less experience of a relegation battle than the Birmingham players and this may prove vital over the next 2 months.

 

Blackburn and Newcastle have struggled to pick up results. Both clubs changed their manager at a time when it appeared unnecessary. However, it is Newcastle’s decision to cash in on their star striker, Andy Carroll, without lining up an adequate replacement that may prove decisive. Blackburn, meanwhile have struggled to introduce a supposedly more attractive brand of football since the departure of Sam Allardyce. They came back from two goals down in a vital clash against Blackpool by reverting back to a more direct approach, and perhaps their fans should be careful what they wish for.

 

Having looked at the remaining premier league fixtures and the form table, I see a bottom three made up of Wigan, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn. However I won’t be putting money on it.