[Archived] Relegation Watch

[John]

Getting that horrible worrying feeling again. Another game gone and another missed opportunity of 3 points. The way things are going, seems like its going to go to the last few games of the season.

Agree with Rev, not an ideal time to play Spurs.

[Hughesy]

It's only going better than planned because you're assuming we'll get four wins in games we haven't played yet!!!

I disagree totally about not needing a win against Spurs. I think any other result but a win and we are in big trouble. I can't see us getting it either. Spurs are in red hot form.

Lets agree to disagree then. Iv shown clearly how we can easily pick up the points. I have full faith in the lads to get us safe.

[CAPT KAYOS]

Lets agree to disagree then. Iv shown clearly how we can easily pick up the points. I have full faith in the lads to get us safe.

It was very eay to pick up points against Citeh, Wet Spam, Notlob etc but it was more of a case of points dropped except for maybe the trotters game.

What is easy is to keep deluding to the fact that we will win these games going of what we are doing at the moment and what we have seen all season at home.

On a lighter note Hughesy so don't take this the wrong way as its not meant to be - but everytime I see that picture I just can't help but feel that that is you in person for some strange reason.

[Lurid Coat]

Just had another go at the BBC table predictor. Bottom nine:

12 Bolton 43

13 Stoke 43

14 Blackburn 42

15 Portsmouth 41

16 Hull 39

17 Sunderland 37

18 Newcastle 36

19 Boro 34

20 WBA 25

Had us winning against Wigan, Pompey and WBA

Drawing against Stoke and City

Losing against Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea

If a couple of those victories turn into draws, I'd claim we're in serious trouble

Also, what these predictors don't account for is the fact that teams might start to panic if they find themselves in the bottom three after, say, 4 more games. I have us losing against both Tottenham and Liverpool, and drawing against Stoke, whilst Middelsbrough probably will pick up points against Hull and Fulham, and possibly even Bolton. In theory we should be able to beat Wigan, Pompey and WBA at home, but the table and the immense pressure might cause nerves to kick in in our team, which possibly might lead to personal errors and dissapointing results in the easier matches.

Hopefully the players will be able to stick together, never give up and keep the faith. It's going to be a couple of nerve wrecking months.

[Hughesy]

It was very eay to pick up points against Citeh, Wet Spam, Notlob etc but it was more of a case of points dropped except for maybe the trotters game.

What is easy is to keep deluding to the fact that we will win these games going of what we are doing at the moment and what we have seen all season at home.

On a lighter note Hughesy so don't take this the wrong way as its not meant to be - but everytime I see that picture I just can't help but feel that that is you in person for some strange reason.

I just feel our team has turned a corner. We look much more stable as a team, we look like a team with great team spirit and determined to get out of the trouble, and we also seem to believe we can be safe - some others already looked defeated and on a downward spiral - i.e. West Brom, Boro, Hull. I think our belief will help us in the battle to stay up. Dont forget it wasnt that long ago that we were second bottom and adrift of the teams above.

The only games we have to fear realistically are Liverpool & Chelsea. Therefore write them off (anything later is a bonus) - we have 6 games to get the points.

Iv just done the predictor thing which included us losing to West Brom, Liverpool, Chelsea, but beating Wigan, Pompey & Drawing with Spurs, City & Stoke - That got us to 40 points which I feel will be enough to stay up. The predictor says to me that the 37 or 38 points mark should be the difference.

Teams in real trouble were Hull, Boro & Sunderland. Down went West Brom, Hull & Boro.

[den]

Just had another go at the BBC table predictor.

All those that see the point in this, say AYE. All those that don't, say NAY.

NAY

[CAPT KAYOS]

I just feel our team has turned a corner. We look much more stable as a team, we look like a team with great team spirit and determined to get out of the trouble, and we also seem to believe we can be safe - some others already looked defeated and on a downward spiral - i.e. West Brom, Boro, Hull. I think our belief will help us in the battle to stay up. Dont forget it wasnt that long ago that we were second bottom and adrift of the teams above.

The only games we have to fear realistically are Liverpool & Chelsea.

I wouldn't quite say turned the corner more used a curved mirror to look around it

I agree with the first points but still don't feel confident basically because of the other point above

The biggest fear we have to me is ourselves- as we just don't appear to be able to turn games to our advantage or look like we don't have any idea how to.

[Manc Rover]

I think we will just about be ok by then but just look at the fixtures on the last day of the season - could be key!

Stoke away at Arsenal

Geordies away at Villa

Hull v Man U

Bolton at City

Sunderland home to Chelsea

Boro at West Ham

I fancy us at home v WBA over any of the above.

[92er]

[quote name='Manc Rover' date='Mar 24 2009, 16:18 ' post='742490

I fancy us at home v WBA over any of the above.

The problem I see is that, although we are very unlikely to lose that game, can we be sure we will win it? It's winning we find hard.

[Hughesy]

I think the next 2 games are the most crucial for some of our rivals (not so much for us), and will have a big impact on where teams finish -

Boro - 2 crucial games against Bolton & Hull

Hull - 2 crucial games against Boro & Pompey

West Brom - Although I think they are down they have to play Pompey & Stoke and they could effect the teams around them.

Stoke - West Brom & then the Geordies

[AggyBlue]

I think the next 2 games are the most crucial for some of our rivals (not so much for us), and will have a big impact on where teams finish -

Boro - 2 crucial games against Bolton & Hull

Hull - 2 crucial games against Boro & Pompey

West Brom - Although I think they are down they have to play Pompey & Stoke and they could effect the teams around them.

Stoke - West Brom & then the Geordies

Exiting innit

They'll all be taking points off each other.

I think a win against spuds will keep us out of the bottom three regardless of what happens against the scousers.

[JAL]

All those that see the point in this, say AYE. All those that don't, say NAY.

NAY

NAY !

It comes across as being a bit self dillusional, can fully understand the mindset though in these testing times.

[philipl]

True JAL.

Just ran it again assuming a fair few upsets akin to Pompey beating Everton last week-end and Sunderland doing a title lost Chelsea on the last day of the season. Chucking those sorts of results in lifts 17th/18th to GD on 40 points.

Rovers' away game at Stoke takes on massive proportions.

[John]

Surely we are due some poor performaces though, after dominating so many matches and not winning them? Also, we need to take into account these last 8 matches going to be high pressure games, therefore nerves could play a big part in how get on.

[thenodrog]

The only games we have to fear realistically are Liverpool & Chelsea. Therefore write them off (anything later is a bonus) - we have 6 games to get the points.

It's might just be that Chelsea have nothing to play for by then. 3rd place assured and no chance of second spot. Tha lsat few games always manage to throw up suprises. MU v WHU for one 2 years ago. Anyway here's hoping.

[Hughesy]

Exiting innit

What is? Who's exiting where?

[AggyBlue]

What is? Who's exiting where?

Elvis has just left the building

[Ozz]

We need to beat Stoke away and WBA at home, and repeat what we did last year in the other fixtures. This would give us eleven points, which should easy be enough to stay up. Don't waste your time on the BBC predictor game, life's too short.

[Blueheart]

I wonder if the club will be laying on free transport to the away game at Stoke ? This one could be crucial and the 12th man support could be very useful.

[Hughesy]

They were looking into it - just no announcement or anything yet!!

[CAPT KAYOS]

They were looking into it - just no announcement or anything yet!!

[SoccerHQ]

Newcastle won't get more than 38 points imo so two wins and two draws will be enough for Blackburn imo and I reckon you'll achieve that before the final day anyway so will have the insurance of the Baggies game anyway.

[Lurid Coat]

I really like this SoccerHQ bloke. A soothing and calm voice of reason in these troubling times.

[philipl]

Newcastle will have another new manager effect when JFK returns- I have them as survivng.

[Hughesy]

I think Newcastle will be safe too - with the likes of Martins, Owen etc they have some talent that could just spark a mini-revival. While they have some tricky ties, I also think they have a few very winnable games -

HOWEVER If they lose at stoke - then they are in real trouble.