The Relegation Thread

[smat]

I predicted for all three promoted clubs to stay up but unfortunately I think Bournemouth's long term injuries have completely fucked them. Ridiculously bad luck.

 

[mistermagic]

After this weekend's results it looks like it's going to be between the promoted 3 and Villa & Sunderland. Can see McLaren turning things around at Newcastle.

 

[Blitzballer]

we've dodged it for a few seasons now but, to quote Liverpool fans, "this is our year"

 

[Hank]

We really need to start picking up points in the next month, if we don't we'll be cut adrift as December's fixtures are awful. At the moment I think it's going to be Bournemouth, Norwich and Villa and ourselves will fight it out to see who's the least shit.

 

[JimJams]

Does Newcastle getting a solitary win against a newly promoted side see them safe now then?

 

[G.B]

almost certainly

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Whilst Saturday was probably as expected, and even had some bright points to take away in terms of the problems we caused City in patches, a hammering sprinkled with defensive errors is only going to hit the morale of the squad (that we have left now).

Every game at the moment we're having to chop and change things, and it shows.

I said a few weeks back that we'd need a bit of luck in the short term to pick up a few points whilst we figure out how to proceed with the squad we have now. And given the crazy circumstances in which we dropped points in the Stoke and Watford games, we certainly haven't had that.

And if you believe this:
http://www.teamtalk.com/news/ref-review-man-city-saints-wba-newcastle-benefit?
We're even bottom of the refereeing luck table as well

But we keep at it. After Spurs next week, it's Saints away and Newcastle home. There's a chance we might get a few of the short term injured back for those two, which would be welcome. Could really do with a couple of points or so from them.

 

[Hank]

Does Newcastle getting a solitary win against a newly promoted side see them safe now then?

No it doesn't, I just think Newcastle have enough quality to see them safe. Although the loss of Krul is a big blow.

 

[mistermagic]

On the eve of the halfway point of the season, the table gives little indication of who will be playing tier two football next season.

Villa are still miles behind safety (9 points which is a lot for a team incapable of winning) and should go down. I think it's best that they do as well. Far too many deadwood and negativity around the place. All the big wagers will get shipped out and Garde will reap the benefits of the club's fine academy I'm sure. I almost want them to go down because there's just not enough quality there.

Sunderland I have no idea. I just can't see a Big Sam side going down. Just one of those managers who knows how to stay up. They looked very poor at Man City yesterday but he's been able to pull some quality results (1-0 at Palace, Palace's only defeat in 8 games) so I won't bet on them going down.
Can't see Newcastle going down either. Nice set of results since the 1-5 drubbing at Palace. Against Everton they seem to have shown a lot more fight and I reckon they'll finish comfortably mid-table.

This leaves us with Norwich, Swansea, Bournemouth and WBA. I seriously doubt that the latter will go down because of Pulis (same reason as Allardyce) so to me it's 2 of Norwich, Swansea and Bournemouth.

What do we think?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Pulis may not be at WBA much longer, locals were not happy when our lot went up there, never mind another defeat.

Whether a change would be better for them or not is an impossible call though without a crystal ball!

 

[G.B]

Villa, Norwich and Sunderland I reckon. I get the whole "Allardyce doesn't do relegation" angle but when your supposed best player is the worst left back in the division, there isn't much hope. Would like to see Norwich stay up but they havent got much quality in attack or defence. Villa are already gone.

 

[mistermagic]

Another lovely run-in for Norwich: Arsenal (a), Man Utd (h), Everton (a).

 

[claret50]

If there's any real likelihood in a month or two of Sunderland going down Allardyce will walk, enabling him to continue with the myth that he's never been in charge of a club that's been relegated, as his ego is bigger than any club.

 

[mistermagic]

Has Big Sam ever resigned?

 

[Hank]

Allardyce has admitted he's struggling to find a solution to our problems, but I can't see him walking. January is a huge month with Villa and Bournemouth at home and Swansea away. Also the transfer window. We need defenders badly and more importantly players with the right attitude as some of the current squad couldn't give a fuck.
Also whoever thinks Van Aanholt is our best player should never be allowed to watch football again.

 

[G.B]

Has Big Sam ever resigned?

He resigned from Bolton cos he couldn't get over missing out on the England job.


I'm surprised he's persisted with Van Aanholt, being such a defensive minded manager. The first goal you conceded at City he didn't even try to close down the fella who crossed it in. He was literally 10 yards away from him pretending to try and block the cross.

 

[Hank]

Quite simply there is no one else. The amount of times he gets caught out position is frightening. He is more disciplined under Sam but his lack of defending ability is always a worry.

 

[mistermagic]

Huge wins for Norwich and West Brom today. Swansea showing great resilience at Palace as well.

 

[Abertawe]

We're sound I think, Curt should get the gig now given how well he's done.

Big Sam has a job on at blunderland and should be applauded for taking on a poisoned chalice.

Villa are gone.

Norwich are plucky.

Bournemouth are cute.

Barcodes are imploding.

Villa, newc, sund. Goodbye.

 

[Leewilson]

I still think Sunderland may get out of it.

Villa are gone but I still feel Norwich and Bournemouth will be the ones to go.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Norwich are odd, some days I watch them and I'm really impressed, not least when they battered us at carrow road. Other days they are so weak in defence and don't seem to have much invention going forward if Redmond isn't playing / isn't on form and Jerome blows hot and cold.

They had all that in one game against Everton for example.

As for us, our form this past 6 weeks has been so pleasing. We've found a way of playing thay works and uses some of our strengths whilst improving our weaknesses. But it'll be about keeping the fitness and stamina up, because it's all about the intensity.

We will spend in January, it'll be down to getting that right. Our current squad isn't deep enough, as yesterday perfectly demonstrated, because of how fast we've come up.

 

[Jarv]

well done to Arsenal and Leicester reaching the Magical 40 Points mark to guarantee another season in the top flight

 

[JimJams]

Phew!...

 

[JaseTheVillain]

 

[smat]

well done to Arsenal and Leicester reaching the Magical 40 Points mark to guarantee another season in the top flight

tbf today's game did have the look of a relegation scrap

 

[Super_horns]

Will Micah Richards be on Twitter this week moaning about the MOTD pundits for daring to have a pop? - think that is part of Villa's problem.

The players probably think they are playing well and just being unlucky..

The complaint is about them having too many overseas players (and manager) but the likes of Richards and Lescott haven't exactly covered themselves in glory either.

 

[johnnytodd]

whats the magic number to stay up people 36?

yes i am panicking.

 

[Super_horns]

Just had the Villa CEO on 5live saying how pleased he is with the scouting system at the club!

 

[Blitzballer]

Tom Fox = Grade A Wanker

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Just had the Villa CEO on 5live saying how pleased he is with the scouting system at the club!

He's under the impression that the club is doing fine, as he has made a lot of commercial deals and cut the wage bill down for us.

Give me Paul fucking Faulkner back please.