Relegation. Who is going?

[nottsblue]

Saw a stat that Newcastle had only one win in nineteen premier league games. That is atrocious and a slump like that will be really difficult to arrest, especially with a manager like Shteeve at the helm, who is not renowned for rousing team talks or innovative tactics or man management. Along with Sunderland who are similarly poor, it looks a really bleak season for the North-East.

Villa also look shite after a few early season results. Again, is Sherwood the man for a full season of a relegation battle? No side has lost more games in 2015 than Villa, another damning statistic.

For the first time in a long time, possibly ever, the three promoted clubs may all survive which would be great for the game in general. It gives hope for the likes of Forest, Cardiff, Derby, Sheffield, Ipswich and the like, that if they get promotion it doesn't automatically mean they will go down the next year. I do sometimes wonder if some of these clubs would prefer to be near the top of the Championship every year but don't quite make it rather than actually get promotion as the worry of increased wage bills and the like if they only last a season. Look at QPR, Blackburn, Pompey, Leeds and many others who have struggled financially after relegation from the top flight.

I for one hope the three that came up all survive, and Newcastle go down, if only to see Shearer sobbing into his shirt come May

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Sunderland are awful.
Villa can't score.
I did think Newcastle will be ok, but I heard that stat of one win in 19. That is worrying to say the least.
WBA could be in bother too.
I suspect one of the promoted clubs might end up in bother yet, but they all look competent so far. Squads get tested over the course of a long season, and smaller budget clubs often suffer more than others.

I'll go Villa, Sunderland and Bournemouth.

[Blue Since 76]

I'm not sure Bournemouth has got enough to stay up, especially with the injuries they've had. Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle look the most vulnerable, but I suspect all 3 will have new managers by January, so it depends who they get and how much improvement they get from it.

I'll also throw us into the ring, as 3 points from the last 3 games is relegation form and I never feel safe until we get to 40.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Sunderland villa and newcastle all look determined to fuck up as soon as possible don't they?

Id say one of the new boys will tail off and one of these 3 will pull a purple patch, but I think 2 will go down unless they bring in a fresh face that can motivate some of their key players.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Newcastle showed signs against Chelsea and first half yesterday that they could have something to build on, and I don't think Ashley will pull the trigger yet, but Sunderland, WBA, Bournemouth, Villa look season long strugglers just now. It would be good to throw Chelsea and Liverpool Ono that mix!

[Mase]

I won't shed a tear if Villa go down the way their fans treated Barry every time he went back with us. Classless wankers.

[Socrates]

For the first time in a long time, possibly ever, the three promoted clubs may all survive which would be great for the game in general.

Would be first time in three years... 2012 QPR, Norwich, Swansea all survived. Previous time was ten years before that - Fulham, Blackburn, Bolton.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Just to be parochial, I hope the Northern teams stay up.

[Slim]

Villa, Sunderland and Bournemouth who will drop like a stone after Christmas, it'll make Hull's plummet a few seasons back look like a gentle downward float.

[john@staustell]

Chelsea

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I love going to Newcastle. My favourite away do by far. So I hope they stay out of trouble.

[South Stand Balti]

I would also like Newcastle to avoid relegation but I fear for them. Their starting 11 should be good enough but their manager is a proper knob.

[Moonchesteri]

Tough to call at this stage but I think Bournemouth will fade and go down, quite convincingly too.
Norwich seem very average again (just like last time they were in prem) and I fear for them
And Sunderland have cheated death for far too long, might be time for them to go down.


If I could pick I'd save the promoted teams and Newcastle.
Rags and Sunderland to go down along with Baggies for that pointless booing of our raheem

[nottsblue]

For the first time in a long time, possibly ever, the three promoted clubs may all survive which would be great for the game in general.

Would be first time in three years... 2012 QPR, Norwich, Swansea all survived. Previous time was ten years before that - Fulham, Blackburn, Bolton.

Stand corrected. Still, it doesn't happen often.

[DoomMerchant]

I think Newcastle will be fine. They have quality players to stay up. They may have to sack the Brolly Wally first tho. He just doesn't seem to get it which is a shame for English managers in general because you'd have thought going abroad and being successful would help but he's just the classic No2 who can't be a No1 in this league. Nothing shameful in that. There are only a few seats at that table. He is a dickweed tho so if he stays at Newcastle I wouldn't care if he took them down tho i would feel for their fans. They deserve much much better imho.

Sunderland are going down. No doubt. Nothing there I can see in terms of players to change it.

Bournemouth are also a good shout as losing those two key players will kill them soon. They are doing it on adrenaline now and once that runs out they'll suffer. Sadly.

Last spot for me is Villa or the Baggies. That one's a toss up. You'd think Pulis had a better frame of mind than Sherwood to play for 17th place but it should be a fun ride at the bottom for a neutral. I'd pick Sherwood to take Villa down if I had to choose. He's a shit manager. End of story.

Cheers

[phips]

hope Villa finally go down

[iwasthere2012]

Chelsea, United and Liverpool.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Chelsea, United and Liverpool.

If Carlsberg did relegation battles......

[iwasthere2012]

Chelsea, United and Liverpool.

If Carlsberg did relegation battles......

They'd all stand by their manager, to try and bring them back up.

[Socrates]

For the first time in a long time, possibly ever, the three promoted clubs may all survive which would be great for the game in general.

Would be first time in three years... 2012 QPR, Norwich, Swansea all survived. Previous time was ten years before that - Fulham, Blackburn, Bolton.

Stand corrected. Still, it doesn't happen often.

indeed. I think it might happen this year but don't really see Bournemouth having the resources to stay out of it once the season really kicks on.